Obituary of Ludmila Nwaesei

Ludmila Ivanovna Nwaesei was dearly loved and is greatly missed by many, especially her son Lawrence, daughters Ngozi and Sima, and grandson Ifichukude (“Ifi”). Born May 9, 1948, in Sovetsk, Russia, Ludmila was raised together with her brother Vladimir (“Volodye”) by her mother Serafima (“Sima”) Pijikova, who served in combat as a battlefield nurse during the Second World War. Prior to joining his sister in Canada, Vladimir would go on to father Ludmila’s niece Elena and nephew Sergei, both of whom she loved dearly. Ludmila was a solid student as a girl, excelling in mathematics and the visual arts in which Ludmila’s skill is reflected in the many paintings she painted, and which have adorned her homes over the years. Ludmila also had a great love of nature which she expressed in her love of gardening and the many flowers she cultivated. This love of nature was evident from an early age during which Ludmila was a leader in the Pioneers scouting movement in which she developed her impressive woodcraft skills. One of the high points of her time in the Pioneers was having her leadership acknowledged and rewarded with a maritime excursion on a naval submarine, a rare honor.

After graduating from high-school, Ludmila moved to Saint Petersburg to pursue her post-secondary education. It was during her time in Saint Petersburg that Ludmila would meet Chukwuma (“Chuki”) Nwaesei who would eventually become her husband and together they would have three children, starting with Lawrence who was born in Saint Petersburg in 1973. Following Chukwuma’s graduation from medical school, Ludmila would join him in Lagos, Nigeria where she would meet her extended family. During her time in Nigeria, Ludmila would form lifelong bonds with her in-laws and develop friendships that would last the rest of her life.

The family would go on to spend time in Baltimore, Maryland before moving to St. Johns, Newfoundland in 1979, where Ludmila’s eldest daughter Ngozi was born and whom she would refer to affectionately as “dolinka.” In 1981, the family moved to Toronto, Ontario, where Ludmila’s youngest daughter Sima was born in 1983. As her youngest child, Ludmila was especially attentive to Sima who was named after her mother and whom she lovingly referred to as “Simochka.” In Toronto, Ludmila would study English at the University of Toronto and enjoyed some of her happiest times with her fellow students including a group trip to Niagara Falls that she would often fondly remember. Living in downtown Toronto, near the corner of Yonge and Bloor, Ludmila would partake of the many attractions of the city including many spontaneous visits to cinemas, art galleries, and museums. It is also in Toronto that Ludmila discovered Chinese food, including Dim Sum which she would enjoy for many years. After living in Toronto, Ludmila and her family would enjoy several years in Halifax, Nova Scotia before eventually moving to Windsor, Ontario. Her brother would later join Ludmila in Windsor, where they enjoyed a lifetime of good times and laughs together. Ludmila would spend the remainder of her life in Windsor, in the company of her beloved family, cherished friends, and faithful pets: Grendel, Quincy, and Nachko.

An incredibly loving mother and grandmother, Ludmila’s children and her grandson were her pride and joy. Her beloved grandson, the son of Lawrence and his wife Yuchun, was an immense source of happiness and pride in Ludmila’s golden years and listening to Ifi play the piano was one of her favorite pastimes. She was always her children’s and grandson’s greatest supporter and a commanding presence in their competitive endeavors. Ludmila served as a trusted source of guidance and was the first person her children would look to for advice. A constant source of encouragement and inspiration, Ludmila instilled in her children and grandson a strong sense of pride in their culture and heritage and taught them the importance of kindness and compassion.

Ludmila was a beacon of truth and generous to a fault. She was well known for giving the best hugs and affectionately calling people her “sweetie.” Her love was beautiful and comforting and she gave it freely without hesitation. Ludmila formed many close and lasting relationships during her life - many of them spanning several decades and continents. These relationships were a source of great joy for Ludmila and her conversations with friends and family would often highlight her incisive sense of humor, which was ever present. Ludmila’s love and devotion for her family and friends was unparalleled. She possessed an immaculate sense of personal style and fashion and this keen aesthetic sense and attention to detail paired seamlessly with her talent for interior design which made its mark in every home she lived in. In her final home on Ducharme Street, Ludmila was blessed with wonderful neighbors, whom she loved like family and who loved her in kind.

A firm believer in a higher power, Ludmila drew hope and found peace from her faith in God and Jesus Christ till the day she was called to heaven. In keeping with the meaning of her name, “love of the people,” Ludmila was loved profoundly and will be remembered forever by all those who were blessed to know her.

Information for Ludmila’s celebration of life is below:

Saturday February 17th, 2024

2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

at

Water’s Edge Event Centre

2879 Riverside Drive East

Windsor, Ontario N8Y-4S7