It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Galina, who left us on November 18th at the age of 88. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and strength that will forever live in our hearts.

Born on January 27th, 1936 in Voronezh, Russia, Galina dedicated herself to her family, always putting others before herself. She survived post-war famine and incredible hardship, together with her devoted mother, Maria Kalinina. Galina married Michael Sobolev, and together they built a beautiful life filled with cherished memories. She lived most of her life in Lipetsk, where their home was a haven filled with warmth, love, and the delicious aroma of peonies and her amazing cooking. In their youth they enjoyed travel all over the Soviet Union and Europe, and after retirement they built a dacha, where they spent weeks gardening, fishing and enjoying nature. Galina devoted her career to architecture and was well loved by her colleagues until her well-deserved retirement. She was a proud mother to Lana and her husband Sergey, and a doting grandmother to two grandchildren, Kat and Annie, and two great-grandchildren, Mel and Kaitlyn, who lovingly called her Babushka Galya.

She was known for her green thumb (keeping a beautiful garden for many years), canning and pickling the most delicious jams and relishes, and the best fried chicken in the world. She was devoted to her family and supported her grandchildren in each step of their academic and career lives. She was always excited to chat and catch up and was genuinely invested in their lives. Her greatest joy came from family gatherings, attending her grandchildren’s milestones, and gardening. After her husband's passing, she joined her daughter and son-in-law in Toronto, Canada, where she lived in the loving care of her family. She passed away in the care of her devoted medical team at Sunnybrook Hospital.

Her memory will be treasured by all who knew her, and she is reunited in eternal peace with her parents and her dear husband, Michael.

A celebration of Galina’s life will be held on November 21st at 12pm at The Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Toronto. Family and friends are invited to gather and share their memories as we honor her remarkable life.

Rest in peace, Galina. Your love and wisdom will continue to guide us, and your spirit will forever remain in our hearts.