Obituary for Anna Razhova (A.)
Our “Russian Warrior Princess,” – also known as “Anechka,” Anna Alexandrovna Razhova, 36, died in her sleep at home in Litchfield, Connecticut on April 11th 2021, concluding a valiant three-year battle with stage 4 Colorectal Cancer, leaving the world a poorer place.
Born in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, on December 12th, 1984, she leaves her 3-year-old daughter, Alexa, her mother and stepfather, Marina and Brock Putnam of East Litchfield, her brother Anton Alexandrovich Razhov, her step-brother, Benjamin Putnam and her family in Russia: aunt Irina Dorofeeva, uncle Igor Dorofeev, cousin Galina Korotkova, grandmother Valentina Mikhalyova as well as a legion of friends worldwide.
In Russia, she was a student at Physics and Mathematics Lyceum #40. She enjoyed ballroom dancing in her spare time. After she and her family immigrated to the US in 1999, Anna attended and graduated from Litchfield High School, where she won awards in art, played soccer and began to learn tennis. She was an alumna of Hofstra University (Hempstead, NY) with a degree in business administration.
Anna’s career in retail management began at H&M Department Stores and continued at Kohl’s, in a series of locations around the United States in where she rose to Operations and HR Manager. She reported her accomplishments and promotions back to her family with pride. Anna is remembered by her colleagues for her warm supportive leadership and offering guidance for new hires. She was involved in multiple volunteer projects while working at Kohl’s as well as serving as a mentor for Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Anna was an adoring mother – she reveled in her day-to-day life with Alexa, like any parent, joyously observing those stages of development, from her learning to crawl to learning to count. Every day brought something new, and always with the gift of love.
When Anna learned of her diagnosis, she was heartbroken, knowing she might not be there for Alexa’s Life Milestones. Her infinite love for her daughter gave her the strength to fight, to endure multiple surgeries and chemotherapy treatments. She was willing to try anything to give her as much time with her daughter, no matter the pain. She beat the odds, and instead of the six months she was given by doctors, she lived and fought for more than three years. During this grueling time she became proactive, and became a volunteer for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. In a short time, she progressed from volunteer to spokesperson, appearing on several network television news programs to educate others on the insidious disease, and its warning signs.
All through this trying time, her mother remained steadfastly by her side offering support for her as well as caring for her growing grandchild. Anna was a devoted older sister to Anton, both competitive with and protective of her brother. She loved spending time with her family, playing board games, especially “Clue,” at which she excelled. She was a thoughtful daughter and a generous person who loved to shower family and friends with gifts.
She is remembered by her friends for her sense of humor, honesty and loyalty. Her biggest joy in life was being a mother. Anna’s love of travel was legendary – a friend characterized her as a “travel queen,” “When she makes friends, she makes them for life.” “She was incredibly proud of her Russian heritage.”
Anna and her beautiful smile will be missed by her family, friends and colleagues. “Alexa’s mommy became an angel.” We are consoled by her not suffering or feeling pain any more.
A memorial and celebration of Anna’s life will be announced at a later date.
Cremation will be followed by a private scattering of ashes.
Memorial contributions can be made to gofundme.com/f/Anna-Alexa and to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance at CCAlliance.org
Born in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, on December 12th, 1984, she leaves her 3-year-old daughter, Alexa, her mother and stepfather, Marina and Brock Putnam of East Litchfield, her brother Anton Alexandrovich Razhov, her step-brother, Benjamin Putnam and her family in Russia: aunt Irina Dorofeeva, uncle Igor Dorofeev, cousin Galina Korotkova, grandmother Valentina Mikhalyova as well as a legion of friends worldwide.
In Russia, she was a student at Physics and Mathematics Lyceum #40. She enjoyed ballroom dancing in her spare time. After she and her family immigrated to the US in 1999, Anna attended and graduated from Litchfield High School, where she won awards in art, played soccer and began to learn tennis. She was an alumna of Hofstra University (Hempstead, NY) with a degree in business administration.
Anna’s career in retail management began at H&M Department Stores and continued at Kohl’s, in a series of locations around the United States in where she rose to Operations and HR Manager. She reported her accomplishments and promotions back to her family with pride. Anna is remembered by her colleagues for her warm supportive leadership and offering guidance for new hires. She was involved in multiple volunteer projects while working at Kohl’s as well as serving as a mentor for Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Anna was an adoring mother – she reveled in her day-to-day life with Alexa, like any parent, joyously observing those stages of development, from her learning to crawl to learning to count. Every day brought something new, and always with the gift of love.
When Anna learned of her diagnosis, she was heartbroken, knowing she might not be there for Alexa’s Life Milestones. Her infinite love for her daughter gave her the strength to fight, to endure multiple surgeries and chemotherapy treatments. She was willing to try anything to give her as much time with her daughter, no matter the pain. She beat the odds, and instead of the six months she was given by doctors, she lived and fought for more than three years. During this grueling time she became proactive, and became a volunteer for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. In a short time, she progressed from volunteer to spokesperson, appearing on several network television news programs to educate others on the insidious disease, and its warning signs.
All through this trying time, her mother remained steadfastly by her side offering support for her as well as caring for her growing grandchild. Anna was a devoted older sister to Anton, both competitive with and protective of her brother. She loved spending time with her family, playing board games, especially “Clue,” at which she excelled. She was a thoughtful daughter and a generous person who loved to shower family and friends with gifts.
She is remembered by her friends for her sense of humor, honesty and loyalty. Her biggest joy in life was being a mother. Anna’s love of travel was legendary – a friend characterized her as a “travel queen,” “When she makes friends, she makes them for life.” “She was incredibly proud of her Russian heritage.”
Anna and her beautiful smile will be missed by her family, friends and colleagues. “Alexa’s mommy became an angel.” We are consoled by her not suffering or feeling pain any more.
A memorial and celebration of Anna’s life will be announced at a later date.
Cremation will be followed by a private scattering of ashes.
Memorial contributions can be made to gofundme.com/f/Anna-Alexa and to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance at CCAlliance.org