Nadiya Chekhuta

Nadiya Chekhuta (née Garashenko), age 86, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. She is survived by her loving son Yuriy Chekhuta, devoted grandson Yaroslav Chekhuta, and great-grandchildren Penelope and Theodore Chekhuta. She is predeceased by her husband Nikolai Chekhuta and beloved grandson Oleg Chekhuta.

Born the youngest of eight girls in Zahryzove (Kupyansk), Ukraine in 1938, she began her lifelong mission to help others by enrolling in a nurse midwife training program at the age of 14. She delivered her first of countless babies in her community at age 18 and continued to share her gifts as a healer and caretaker through a storied career as a nurse for the next 50 years, working both as a midwife and as an occupational health nurse. She married her husband Nikolai in 1961 and moved to Severodonetsk, Ukraine where she raised her son Yuriy. She later moved to Odesa, Ukraine and eventually to Boston, Massachusetts to help raise grandsons Yaroslav and Oleg, both of whom she spoiled with love and her famous pelmeni, and adored with all her heart. Nadiya was resilient in the face of unimaginable hardship throughout her lifetime, including through the Nazi occupation of her family home as a child, devastating famine, and the horrific memory of bombings in her community that stayed with her all her life. Through it all, Nadiya led with her heart, giving everything she could to help neighbors and friends in need. Her bright smile, signature sparkling eyes, unbreakable spirit, beautiful singing voice, and incredible cooking made a visit to Nadiya’s feel like coming home. She has forever touched the lives of so many and her loved ones will love and cherish her memory always.

Nadiya’s family is forever grateful for the love and care she was given in the final years of her life by the angels at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Roslindale, MA.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, March 21st at 11 AM at Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St. West Roxbury, MA. Graveside service and burial directly to follow at The Gardens at Gethsemane. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Nadiya’s honor to Hebrew SeniorLife.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Nadiya Chekhuta, please visit our Tree Store.