Galina Sergeevna Fedorov

After a sudden decline in her health, Galina Sergeevna Fedorov, aged 82, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her immediate family, at 10:40 PM, on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023, in her home in Newtown Square, PA. Her plan to spend one last Christmas day with family was complete. A vibrant, charismatic soul and loving mother, Galina leaves behind a legacy of warmth and optimism that touched the lives of all who knew her.

Born in Moscow, Russia, to Sergey Grigorevich Kholomtsev and Galina Nikolaevna Grossman-Volynets, Galina is survived by her beloved husband, Valerii (Val) Fedorov; devoted son, Vsevolod (Steve) Fedorov; and three grandchildren: Pavel Fedorov, Daniel Fedorov, and Nicole Fedorov.

Galina's academic journey initially led her to follow her parent’s footsteps to study aircraft engine design and engineering at the Moscow Aviation Institute. She continued her education by obtaining a Master of Science degree in Mathematical Physics from Moscow State University and later earned her Ph.D. degree in Biostatistics from the Institute of Cybernetics of the Ukrainian Academy of Science.

Galina committed her entire professional career as a biostatistician at the Moscow Research Institute of Tuberculosis, relentlessly designing and conducting clinical trials for distinct antibiotic blends needed to address patient-specific variants of highly infectious tuberculosis. While working directly with patients she sought to cure, Galina selflessly risked her life, driven by an unwavering commitment and the belief that she could make a difference in theirs.

Beyond all her academic and career accomplishments, Galina was a bright, confident, opinionated, eloquent, and caring lady whose optimism left a lasting mark. She found joy in reading, attending theater performances and concerts, kept track of world politics, relished solving crossword puzzle books before bedtime, loved wandering through the forest to observe nature and forage for mushrooms, enjoyed watching tennis Grand Slams (RF was her favorite), reveled in the liberating sensation of accelerating and driving fast in her car, was renowned among her friends for her home culinary knowledge and abilities, which she loved to share, and cherished spending time with her family.

Following her wish, a private viewing and memorial for family and her close friends will be held from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Friday, December 29th, at the Donahue Funeral Home, Newtown Square, PA, followed by a family dinner at her home.

In lieu of flowers, honoring Galina's love for nature and all living things, contributions may be directed to your favorite nature or animal rescue center. As we say our goodbyes, let us remember Galina for the love, strength, and optimism that defined her life. May she rest in eternal peace.