Obituary of Galina Zhidkova

Galina Feodorovna Zhidkova, 82, of Glastonbury, passed away on November 18, 2012, at Palliative Care Unit of Hartford Hospital. Her daughter Elena Olegovna Zhidkova-Rice was at her side. Galina was born on March 9, 1930 in Kharkov, Ukraine, USSR. She led a life of distinguished teaching and scholarship. She graduated from Moscow University, and she and her late husband Oleg Andreyvich Zhidkov were among the founding faculty of the Patrice Lumumba University, now the University of Russian People's Friendship, in Moscow. There she taught Russian as a foreign language, co-authored several textbooks, and served as department chair and dean for many years. She is remembered for her warmth, her fortitude, and her skill as a teacher and mentor. Galina also loved literature, the theater, knitting, and gardening. She moved from Russia to the United States in 2006 to live with her family, and joined the Episcopal Church. Though she admired much about America, she missed her native country, and never lost her strong Russian spirit. Besides her daughter, she leaves behind her son-in-law J. Alan Rice and grandson Peter Alanovich Rice, of Glastonbury, her brother Peter Feodorovich Potashnikov of Moscow, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 10:00 am, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 120 Sigourney St., Hartford. Memorial donations can be made to the Hartford Hospital Palliative Care Unit, 80 Seymour St., Hartford, CT 06102.To share a memory please visit www.mulryanfh.com.