LESYA ALEXANDRIA STRUZ

1949 - 2017

STRUZ, Lesya Alexandria Age 68, Environmental Advocate, Avid Hiker, and Friend To Many. Of Waltham, Massachusetts died peacefully at home on November 21, 2017, likely dreaming of her next walk or hike with friends. She often said, "Not all those who wander are lost." Born November 3, 1949 in Mittenwald, Lesya emigrated to Boston from Germany in 1952 with her late parents, Peter and Anna Struz, who were born in Ukraine. She was predeceased in 2013 by her loving husband, Joris Naiman, a fellow avid hiker and life companion. Both were strong proponents of the environment, and often were happiest when on a trail or gardening together. Across multiple adventures, they completed hiking 2650 miles from Mexico to Canada in 1991 along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Lesya found great pleasure in pursuing the advancement of the PCT, and served as a Board Member of the PCT Association from 1996 to 2001. Later, she turned to interpretive roles at Great Brook Farm State Park and Walden Pond State Reservation, and also zealously contributed to the Waltham Land Trust. In each of her roles, she made many friends. Deeply connected to the Boston Ukrainian community, Lesya was an enthusiastic scout leader and performed at various Ukrainian gatherings. Lesya graduated Emmanuel College in 1971 and later fulfilled her love for gardening by earning a master's degree for sustainable landscape design at the Conway School. She was an adventurous traveler and photographer, and had just recently returned from Bulgaria and Romania, later visiting dear friends in Oregon and Washington. At her home in Waltham, she woke each morning to a beautiful view of the Charles River, and a walk with her favorite dog, Lucy. Lesya is survived by her sister Oksana and brother-in-law Bob Jones in Virginia, cousins Gerry and Heather Caplap of Canada, and brothers-in-law Alaric and Kiri Naiman of Massachusetts. Burial will be December 8, 2017, 1pm at the Lexington Road cemetery in Lincoln, with a convivial indoor reception afterward at the nearby Pierce House. Lesya's Ukrainian Memorial Service will be December 30, 2017, 2:30 pm at Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Church, 146 Forest Hills Street, Jamaica Plain. A memorial service for far-flung friends and relatives will be scheduled for next year.

View the online memorial for Lesya Alexandria STRUZ