Tamara Babaeva

February 24, 1997 Tamara Rahavionovna Babayeva passed away on her 80th birthday. She was born Feb. 24, 1917 in the city of Fergana. Tamara Rahavionovna was the great-granddaughter of Baruch Singer Kalhoka ( "kalhok - warbler), and known among Bukhara Jews sage Sulaimonov Ochildieva. Tamara Babayeva was an extraordinary woman. She was incredibly artistic and gifted. She brought perfection to everything she laid her hands on. She embroidered, sewed, painted, baked, sculpted, and gardened. Tamara Babayeva was one of the first Bukharian Jews of Fergana who completed college and received a degree in education and devoted a lifetime to child-rearing. During WWII, she was the head of a kindergarten and took care of children who were orphans left without parents. She took evacuated children and families into her home with no hesitation, these families were forever grateful. After a long and arduous struggle with the local bureaucracy, Tamara Babayeva succeeded in getting permission for a building permit for a very unique project in the city of Ferghana. It was a sanatorium type kindergarten, which became a model and the pride of Uzbekistan! Now it is open to tourists for viewing. For her achievements Tamara received many awards and medals, she was awarded the title Honorary Teacher and by the time of her retirement she received the title of Personal Pensioners. We, her children and grandchildren will never forget her great love and dedication to us and to all who surrounded her. She was infinitely loyal, honest and the true rock of the family. She was able to cultivate in her children and each of her students the best of human qualities, giving them the opportunity to grow emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Tamara gave everyone a sense of love and the understanding of friendship and responsibility. She will forever remain in our hearts.