Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Natalia Zotov Obituary
Sr. Natalia Victorovna Zotov, SFCC, died on March 2, 2012. She was born in New Zealand to Victor and Alice Zotov and lived there until she completed her university studies, receiving her PhD in Cosmology (study of the universe). She did post-doctoral work in England at Cambridge University.
She entered religious life in 1973, joining the Dominicans. She came to the United States with their encouragement, serving in Illinois, Wisconsin and then at Gannon University in Pennsylvania. While there, she spent two summers at the Vatican Observatory, the first woman to be accorded that privilege, and she was presented to the Pope at a private audience for the astronomers. In 1981 she took vows as a Sister For Christian Community.
She joined the Engineering faculty at Louisiana Tech in 1990 and until her retirement in 2009 she was a professor of mathematics. In addition to teaching, she was actively involved in Gravity Wave research at the LlGO Livingston Observatory in South Louisiana and she mentored both graduate and undergraduate students there.
Beyond her work in academics and the church, Natalia was devoted to her dogs, training and handling them in obedience and agility competitions in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. She was active in both the Red River Club and the Ouachita Valley Club and maintained her own training site at her home in Ruston.
Natalia is survived by brothers Nikolai Zotov (and wife Carolyn) and Dmitri Zotov and nephews Richard Zotov and David Zotov as well as a great-nephew and great-niece.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 9, 2012 from 6:00 until 7:45pm at St. Lucy's Catholic Church in Hodge, LA. A rosary will start at 7:45pm. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 2:00 pm at St. Lucy's Catholic Church.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the St. Thomas Family Life Center in Ruston (St.Thomas Catholic Church), the American Cancer Society or a charity of one's choice.
Edmonds Funeral Home
Jonesboro, LA
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Natalia Zotov
4 Entries
Rich Abbott
March 19, 2012
I'm sad to hear of her passing. Natalia was a truly kind and gentle soul. I feel privileged to have known her and will cherish her memory.
Ed Daw
March 19, 2012
My wife Anne and I are sorry to here of Natalia's passing. I got to know her whilst working at LIGO in Livingston as a postdoc. She was a kind, gentle person who was very dedicated to the science at the lab, and also to her dogs. I am sure she will be missed out at LIGO.
Michelle Fox Lanigan
March 11, 2012
My life was touched for yrs by Sr Natalia when I met her through my Aunt's Sr Jeanette, and Sr Mary Anne Gaudin. My husband took me to visit her at the Ruston Nursing and Rehab Hospital a couple of weeks ago. I will cherish that visit forever! Sr was fine in mind and lean in body. She was cheery and totally happy with her calling, accomplishments, and place in this world. She was ready to join her loved ones in heaven and I was so happy to see that she was in a good place with her business taken care of and a satisfied life journey. My family will miss her and will never be able to forget her smiles, caring and loving personality. Thanks to Mrs. Alice for all you did for our friend!!! May she RIP forever.
William Beattie
March 11, 2012
I first got to meet her when I took Linear Algebra. She took us beyond the normal curriculum, teaching us how to solve more complex problems using MATLab, and how to apply what we were learning to real world problems. It was some of the most fun learning I've ever had.
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results
Make a Donation
in Natalia Zotov's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for Natalia Zotov
How to support Natalia's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Natalia Zotov's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
