Tamara (Korjupov) Pirkhal

Tamara Korjupova Pirkhal was born in Harkiv, Ukraine, August 1, 1936, to Nicolai and Angelina Korjupova, both teachers.

She was just 6 years old when World War 2 began, and grew up with the extreme hardships and challenges that the war brought, including separation from her father and the tragic losses of her younger sister and her grandmother.  Tamara and her mother stayed with her mother’s sister in the German-occupied part of Ukraine during the war. Her father fought in the war, was wounded and a victim of battle fatigue, but returned to the family in 1946.

After high school Tamara went to the Politechnical University in Leningrad (now St Petersburg), Russia, where she met and married the love of her life, Boris Pirkhal. They married in 1959 and in 1961 their son Andrey was born.

In 1972 their daughter Svitlana was born. Tamara and Boris continued to live in Vinnitsa, Ukraine, working as civil engineers, raising their kids and enjoying their four grandchildren: Anastasia, Kirill, Artom and Timure.

Tamara’s husband Boris died in 2012, and two years later she came to Las Vegas to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Svitlana and Don Trimmer.

Her son Andrey, his wife Lola, and their two sons Artom and Timure still reside in Ukraine. Artom also has two children, Camilla and Mark. Tamara also has one sister remaining in Ukraine.

Tamara came here the same year two of her great-grandchildren were born, and she delighted in helping her granddaughter Anastasia and grandson Kirill to raise their kids:  Levi, Sasha, Kira and Dima. She was very proud and thankful for all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Tamara was always taking care of all members of her family, watching kids, gardening, helping around the house, and tirelessly serving the family in whatever way she could. She had no fear of hard work and was full of love and joy.

Her thoughts and prayers were also constantly concerned with her family and her fellow countrymen in the Ukraine in their current trials and suffering caused by the Russian invasion.

She was a strong faithful believer in God, having been a long-time part of the Ukrainian Baptist Church, had a very personal relationship and vibrant prayer life with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and was always grateful for all His blessings.  She was never afraid of dying.

She passed from this life suddenly and peacefully on Sept 21, 2022, just a few weeks past her 86th birthday. She is now “gone home” (as she would say), is united with her Savior, and experiencing the joys of eternity in His great love.