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VALENTINA KOMPANIEC BARSOM
VALENTINA KOMPANIEC BARSOM
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VALENTINA BARSOM Obituary
Departed this world on Monday, July 16. Born in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, she immigrated to the United States after WWII with her parents and grandmother. A serious student who was the valedictorian of her high school class and earned her Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, she shared her love of Russian literature and language as a professor for almost three decades. Valentina will be forever remembered as being beautiful, smart, gracious, and fiercely devoted to her family. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, John, with whom she traveled the world; by her daughters, Kathy Brahan (Jeff) and Lisa Barsom (Kimon Andreos); and her grandchildren, Paul and Anna Brahan and Nicholas and Johnny Andreos. Friends will be received at JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS, INC. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com), 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, with Panikhida Service at 7:30 p.m. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 20 at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in McKees Rocks. The family would like to thank Vitas Healthcare, and especially Leetha, for the wonderful care and kindness shown to Valentina and her family during her illness. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in memory of Valentina to either St. Nicholas Orthodox Church (320 Munson Avenue, McKees Rocks, PA 15136) or to the Cancer Patient Family Support Fund at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation (Central Plant, Floor 3, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 or by visiting givetochildrens.org/ donate to make a gift online).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Tracey Moses
July 12, 2023
A dedicated professional and a loving person.
Jill McBride Dishart
July 12, 2020
You were my favorite, difficult and most influential professor. Thank you for teaching me to write properly in my own language, let alone in Russian. Your presence in my life gave me so much meaning and brought so much perspective to not only myself, but to my children and to my own students. I wish I had stayed in touch with you more and I regret that I hadnt told you what you meant to me while you were still living. You will always be in my heart. With love and so much gratitude.
Your student,
,
Jill Leontiadis
December 27, 2018
So sad to hear about the passing of one of my absolute dearest and most challenging professors. I have her to thank for teaching me to write in English as well as in Russian. She wouldn't let me be mediocre and I'll never forget her dedication to me. May her memory be eternal. Dr. Barsom you will forever be in my heart. Jill Dishart Leontiadis ()
Tracey Moses
July 25, 2018
So many smiles to treasure, moments to remember, and beautiful things about her to celebrate always. Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. She was wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and teacher of not only of Russian but of life. It was a privilege to have been one of her students as well as friend.
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July 22, 2018
My most sincere condolences to all of you. Val was a charming, intelligent and vivacious woman who I will long remember. My thoughts are with you John, your wonderful children and grandchildren.. She will be greatly missed. May your wonderful memories of happier and healthier days comfort you now and forever after.
Peggy Ferber
Nancy Hoffman
July 21, 2018
I remember the lovely Barsom family when we all lived in Forbes Terrace
many years ago. Our daughters played together. Most of all I remember
Valentina being there for her family and her warm friendship May she rest in peace, My condolences to the Barsom family.
Nancy Hoffman
July 20, 2018
You have our deepest sympathies. We pray in your behalf, and we look forward to the day when we will welcome back our loved ones on a Paradise earth. Psm 37:29
Binky Mollica
July 20, 2018
Valentine was such an asset to the class of '57 of McKees Rocks High School. She was beautiful inside and out. Never had a bad thing to say about anyone. She was liked by everyone. I will always remember her beautiful blue eyes. Condolences to her family.
Henry Spinelli
July 19, 2018
Valentina had been my friend since we were colleagues at Chatham College. She was a brilliant scholar in Russian literature and a beloved and inspiring teacher. Her cultured traditions made her a respected inter-disciplinary colleague. Val's international background and cosmopolitan taste colored every aspect of her elegant and gracious personality. I will always remember and be grateful for her generosity and warmth as hostess in her home. My deepest sympathy to her husband John, her daughters Cathy and Lisa and their families.
Sailesh Kapadia
July 19, 2018
Sympathies to Dr. John Barsom at the loss of his wife fo so many years!
July 19, 2018
Our Lord has promised to "Bind up the brokenhearted and comfort all who mourn." We want to express our sincere condolences.
C. Frank
Luba Carley
July 19, 2018
I am so very sorry to hear about our classmate and friend Valentina who never missed a reunion. We were together from our grade school days in the Bottoms thru our high school days. With her warmth, friendliness and intelligence, what a gift she was to all of us. Her family was so important to her, please know that we are thinking of you during this very sad time.
Shannon Airport, Ireland on way home from USSR. March 1995.
Lee Grice
July 19, 2018
July 19, 2018
We are very sorry to hear about Valentina . We send our sympathies. May God give you the strength and comfort you need at this difficult time . 2Thess.2:16,17
July 19, 2018
Death of a loved one is never easy to cope with but God's word can comfort us. Isaiah 57:13
July 18, 2018
Dr. Barsom was my Russian professor at Chatham. Because of her, I was hired by the U.S. Defense Department, and I'm still there to this day. Hail the Traveler! May she go forth shining! - Ann Brill White, Chatham '87
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
July 18, 2018
Our hearts go out to the family at this sorrowful time.
Pat Hogan
July 18, 2018
So sorry to hear of Valentina's passing. She was beautiful, intelligent, and always cheerful. She was a much loved member of the class of 57 from Rox, High. We will miss her smiling face at our reunions. Rest In Peace, Valentina. Deepest Sympathy to her loved ones.
July 18, 2018
I am very sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find comfort in Phillipians 4:6 7.
Shannon
July 18, 2018
I'm so sorry for your loss. Please lean on our God of comfort to get you through this difficult time. My prayers are with your family.
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4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
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