Lubov Mozolev

Lubov Mozolev, age 75, passed away at her home surrounded by her loving family. She is remembered as an incredible woman, mother, wife, sister, aunt, teacher, mentor, and friend.

Born on September 22, 1950, in Odesa, Ukraine, Lubov, affectionately known as Luba, grew up in a humble home without electricity or running water. She spent her childhood swimming in the Black Sea, developed a fierce spirit that led her to defend those who could not defend themselves, and excelled as a student who loved math, literature, and poetry. She particularly cherished the works of Alexander Pushkin, Sergei Yesenin, and Vladimir Vysotsky, and taught her younger sister Ekaterina to read.

After studying at Odesa State University and earning a double master’s in Language and Education, Luba found her calling as a teacher. Known to her students as Lubov Petrovna, she taught Russian and Ukrainian literature in Ukraine, Canada, and the United States. Her command of the classroom, kindness, care, and fun-natured spirit made her a beloved mentor to hundreds of students over a 45-year career. She later became a daycare teacher and director in the United States before opening her own home daycare, where she continued to touch lives for decades. Many former students, children, and parents remained in contact with her long after their time together.

In 1985, she married fellow teacher Yuri Mozolev. Together they raised two daughters, Polina and Catherine. Luba was the resilient, honest, fearless, beautiful, and generous matriarch of her family. She loved gardening, cooking, and reading, and took great joy in ensuring everyone around her was well-fed and cared for. Above all, she embodied the meaning of her name, Lubov: Love.

She leaves behind her beloved husband Yuri Mozolev, daughters Polina and Catherine Mozolev, sister Ekaterina Ragutskaya, niece Renata Chernyakova, and great-nephew and great-nieces Eugene, George, and Milena.