Larissa Pavel Murchison passed away on July 21, 2024, in Santa Barbara, California, at the age of 68 with husband David at her side.
She lived her last days at home where she longed to be with a view of her garden and the ocean after a yearlong quiet battle with a rare type of lung cancer.
She received continuous care from her family, friends and colleagues. On the night of her passing, she left us with a parting gift of the most peaceful expression on her face.
Larissa took nothing for granted in life. She came from humble beginnings in Ukraine and worked tirelessly to achieve all her potential.
Her Ukrainian heritage comes from the Vinnytsia region; however, she was born near Smolensk, Russia (USSR), on Dec. 12, 1955. She spent her childhood in Simferopol, Crimea, then completed college in Kiev and Lutsk, Ukraine.
Larissa held a doctor of education (Ed.D.) from the Graduate School of Kiev State Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages, a masters in pedagogics, and a Bachelor of Arts in English.
While nurse training was also included in her curriculum, she began her career as an English and Russian language teacher in Kiev, Ukraine.
Larissa moved to the United States in 1990. She soon became a proud U.S. citizen and a cherished member of the Santa Barbara community.
Larissa completed the nursing program at Santa Barbara City College and became a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).
In this country, Larissa recognized the “land of opportunity” that many take for granted. She was amazed how much more possible it was for a woman to start, operate and run a successful business in the U.S.; and with the support of government and the local community, she did.
Over the course of her career, she went from working behind the counter at Robinsons-May, to being a private caregiver, to starting and running a few small Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE). And then, with the insight that gave her, she later created a helpful and successful referral agency for senior care placement services.
Understanding the principle and nature of the work, she sought to continuously improve the standards and culture of elder care. She conducted her businesses with the highest integrity, and her accomplishments in that field are among those of which she was most proud.
Her businesses reflected her passions, and she helped hundreds of families. Larissa was a graceful but fierce advocate for the care of seniors, and she was an active participant in local senior services groups, such as the Elder Abuse Prevention Council of Santa Barbara, Association for Senior Care, and Alzheimer’s Association where she served as a mentor and friend to many. She was also active at the Santa Barbara Rotary Club.
Larissa had a true zest for life, and she treasured her every living moment. She loved living in Santa Barbara where one of her favorite things to do was tend to her garden, a beautiful ensemble of native and non-native plants that she designed with her daughter Michelle.
As a talented homemaker, she always added a personal touch to everything she did. Her home was a loving, welcoming place for her family and for a multitude of friends who visited from all over the world. All were treated to lavish meals that Larissa always prepared herself from scratch.
She often dressed up, even when the occasion didn’t call for it, as she enjoyed and took pride in “being a lady.”
Larissa had a generous heart and lived her life as a true expression of it. She will be dearly missed for the amazing spirit she shared with us.
She was clear in her beliefs and the wisdom she wanted to leave behind: Love is the strongest force, and family is more important than anything.
Larissa is survived by her husband David Murchison and their daughter Michelle, as well as her brothers Valera Sokolenko and Nicolai Pantukin. She was preceded in death by her daughter Yaroslava Petrova and her parents Pavel Sokolenko and Zinada Kozak- Sokolenko.
A Facebook Group site has been set up by her husband David Murchison as an online Celebration of Life (COL) for Larissa. It is called “Celebrate – Larissa Murchison” for friends and loved ones to see and post tributes to her wonderful life and loving memory. Otherwise, her Facebook accounts have recently been memorialized but are still available to view.
An actual Celebration of Life event is planned for Saturday, Dec. 14, two days after her 69th birthday, at the Cabrillo Pavillion in Santa Barbara. Inquiries can be sent to larissamurchsb@gmail.com for family, friends and colleagues who wish to attend.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Direct Relief – “Ukraine Crisis” in memory of Larissa. Her legacy of kindness, mentorship, and community service will be deeply missed and forever remembered.