Zhana Rachinskaya

Zhana was born on November 1, 1936, in Kyiv, Ukraine. When she was just one year old, her father was arrested, falsely accused of being an "enemy of the people," and executed during Stalin's purges. In the years that followed came war, famine, and the hardships that accompanied growing up under the stigma of being the daughter of an "enemy of the people," with many civil rights denied to her family.

Yet those circumstances did not define her. She refused to let adversity determine her future. Instead, she pursued an education and embraced every opportunity life offered. Those early years shaped her into a woman of extraordinary resilience, determination, and inner strength. In 1958, when she was 22 years old, her father was officially exonerated, restoring his good name, though nothing could erase the years her family had endured.

Despite the profound hardships of her childhood, she grew into a joyful and optimistic person. She appreciated life deeply, never allowing bitterness to take root. She rarely dwelled on the past and always looked ahead with hope and quiet confidence.

She built a successful career as a civil engineer in Kyiv, where she worked until emigrating to the United States in 1991. Rather than slowing down, she embraced a new beginning. She learned a new profession, became an accountant, and worked full-time until retiring again in 2011 at the age of 74 - a remarkable testament to her adaptability and determination.

After retiring, she moved from Dallas to Atlanta to be closer to her family. Her world became centered on those she loved most. She lived a quiet and independent life, never seeking a large social circle. Instead, she cherished lifelong friendships, spending countless hours on the phone with friends from years past while finding her greatest happiness in being close to her family.

When her grandson, Michael, was born, she embraced her role as grandmother with boundless love and devotion. She was always there to help—whether cooking meals, babysitting, offering advice, or simply providing the comfort and steady presence that only a grandmother can. Her love was expressed not through grand gestures, but through the countless everyday acts of kindness and selflessness that became the foundation of our family.

Zhana was not deeply religious, but she was profoundly spiritual. She lived by a strong moral compass, always knowing the difference between right and wrong, and she acted with honesty, kindness, and integrity throughout her life.

She was modest and frugal when it came to herself, but remarkably generous with others. Nothing brought her more joy than giving to the people she loved.

She taught us that strength is not measured by the absence of hardship, but by the courage to move forward with dignity, compassion, and hope. She lived through some of history's darkest times, yet she never lost her humanity, her generosity, or her ability to find joy in life.

Her legacy is not only the years she lived, but the values she passed on: perseverance, integrity, humility, and unconditional love for family. We will miss her deeply, but we will carry her memory with us every day.

A funeral service will be held at North Atlanta Memorial Park in Doraville, Georgia, on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at 2:00 pm with Rabbi Jason Holtz officiating.  

The family will recieve guests from 12:30 pm until 1:30 pm at Fischer Funeral Care prior to the graveside service 

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