Svetlana Khomenko

Svetlana Vasiljevna Khomenko, 79, of Missoula, passed away on Monday, November 2, 2026, after a long battle with dementia.

Svetlana was born on February 2, 1947, in the Altai region of Russia. She graduated from high school with a Soviet Silver Medal, one of the highest academic honors awarded to high school graduates, recognizing her outstanding achievement and dedication to her studies. Given the opportunity to attend the university of her choice on a full scholarship, she chose medical school, where she met her future husband, Viktor Khomenko.

They married at age 21 and went on to have two sons, Andrey and Bernard. Both Svetlana and Viktor worked as physicians, first in the Soviet Air Force and later in civilian hospitals and clinics. A highly respected physician, Svetlana cared for her patients with compassion and dedication.

Svetlana was a devoted and loving wife to Viktor through the hardships they faced in the Soviet Union and, later, Russia. Together, they built a life centered on their family and a shared commitment to caring for others. For her sons, she was a constant source of emotional support and their strongest champion. She stood by them through life's challenges, always making time to listen, offer reassurance, and help. She loved science and took great joy in helping her sons with their studies, especially organic chemistry, biology, and anatomy.

In 2007, Svetlana and Viktor moved to the United States, settling in Missoula to join their youngest son and his family. Being close to family and watching her grandchildren grow brought her great joy.

Svetlana loved music, especially Chopin, and enjoyed singing. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a fondness for sweets. She enjoyed reading children's books to her sons and, later, to her grandchildren, sharing beloved stories across generations. Her all-time favorite was the Russian version of The Three Little Pigs, featuring three brothers named Nif-Nif, Nuf-Nuf, and Naf-Naf, a story all her grandchildren came to love, too. The sound of her voice reading these familiar stories will remain a cherished memory for the entire family.

During the last 10 years of his life, Viktor devoted himself to caring for Svetlana. His loving care reflected the bond they had built over almost six decades together. Svetlana passed away just a few weeks after Viktor. For their family, their passing so close together feels like a testament to the true love they shared.

Svetlana is survived by her sons, Andrey and Bernard, and their families. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, a compassionate physician, and a woman who devoted her life to helping others. To her family, she was the person who always made time to listen and brought warmth, and optimism into their lives.