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The memorial organizer requested donations in honor of Yelena Brikina

FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR

Memorial Fund (Scholarship, Dedication, etc.).

Yelena had a love for gardening and growing food that would provide for her family and friends. In honor of her passion, we are planning to establish a community garden at the Ballantyne Jewish Center in her name. Your donation will contribute to funding this endeavor. Thank you. UPDATE: We have decided to use any surplus funds to establish a charitable fund in Yelena's honor. Thank you for all your generous support!

Raised $13,243
  Contributors (81)
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Memorial Created By
Prashant Rao
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Yelena Brikina

We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Yelena Brikina. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. As we plan virtual and in person gatherings, we will share details here. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.

OBITUARY
Yelena Brikina was born on January 27th 1979 in Mongolia where her family was stationed while her father was in the Soviet army.  She grew up in Minsk, Belarus and emigrated to the United States in 1988 once her father passed away.  Yelena spent her childhood years in Brooklyn, NY and decided to pursue her education in art.  She attended Stony Brook University in Long Island, NY graduating in 2001, and furthered her education at Stony...  see more
8,973 Visits

Posts & Photos

  • Mariam Phillips
    Mariam Phillips:
    February 16, 2021 · via iPhone
    In your garden you’ll always be
    Blowing in the winds and tree
    In the ground and in the sky
    Soaring with the birds that fly
    Running over here and there
    Your presence felt everywhere
    Warm and safe in your cocoon
    Reaching out to light the moon
    Sparkling...  more
  • Dana Schafer
    Dana Schafer:
    February 4, 2021
    Dr. Rao,

    I am so very saddened to hear of Dr. Brikina's passing. She was my dentist since we relocated to the area in 2019. In the short time I've known her she felt more like a friend. She was such a beautiful soul and will be greatly missed. My...  more
  • Prashant Rao
    Prashant Rao:
    February 4, 2021
    Thank you to everyone who has donated to the memorial fund to establish a community garden in Yelena's honor. We are overwhelmed and grateful for all of your contributions and condolences. Though we are continuing to work through the logistics of...  more
  • Maria Parker
    Maria Parker:
    February 4, 2021 · via iPhone
    Dear Prashant, Jackie, Maya, and Cedar Walk Family,
    There are no words that can begin to capture the magnitude of the loss of your precious Yelena... please know that we share in your pain and know that we hold you in our hearts and prayers. We will...  more
  • Laurie Hobbs
    Laurie Hobbs:
    February 1, 2021
    Prashant, Ravi and Shoba,
    We have been heartbroken to hear of Yelena's passing. We think of you all often and pray for you. What a beautiful and compassionate woman she was and she will be missed deeply by you all and so many others.
    Laurie (Webster)...  more
  • Anastasia Sestacovschi
    Anastasia Sestacovschi:
    January 29, 2021 · via mobile
    Dr. Rao,
    Our deepest condolences to you and your family. We wish you strength.
    Andrei and Anastasia
  • Emma Gordon
    Emma Gordon:
    January 27, 2021 · via iPhone
    Dr. Rao, I was extremely saddened to hear of Dr. Bs passing. She was a beautifully genuine person and I have fond memories of working with you both. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. — Emma Gordon
  • Jeff Webster
    Jeff Webster:
    January 25, 2021
    Prashant,
    Our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts are with you.
    Jeff & Sherrie Webster
  • Donna Martinelli
    Donna Martinelli:
    January 25, 2021
    Dr. Rao,

    We are deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Brikina's passing. She was a beautiful soul. Our thoughts and prayers will continue for you and your daughters during this very difficult time.

    Kindly~
    Donna, Rachel & Gino Martinelli and Troy Raby
  • Danielle Miguelez
    Danielle Miguelez:
    January 23, 2021
    Dear Dr. Rao,

    I am so very sorry for your loss. You and your daughters are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Danielle Miguelez
  • Sachin Palkar
    Sachin Palkar:
    January 21, 2021
    Hello Prashant,

    Our heartfelt condolences to you, your daughters, Shobha, Ravi and your family.
    Yelena was a wonderful, warm and amazing person.
    She always had a smile on her face and took the time to come by and say hello when I was in the office. She...  more
  • Dorene Blaha
    Dorene Blaha:
    January 19, 2021
    Dr. Rao, I want you to know I am so very sorry for your loss. During my last visit in July, Dr. Birkina examined me. We had an emotional conversation because I had just returned from CA because my brother-in-law had just passed unexpectedly at 33...  more
  • Sheila Holt
    Sheila Holt:
    January 19, 2021
    My sincerest condolences to the Rao family. I was truly in shock to hear of her passing.
    I had the pleasure to meet and work with Yelena for a very short time. She was a very compassionate and welcoming dentist. I cannot imagine the pain you and...  more
  • Gloria Fridrich
    Gloria Fridrich:
    January 19, 2021
    Dr Rao,
    So sorry to hear about your loss. I enjoyed having Dr. Brikina as my dentist on some of my office visits as I do you. I will remember her smiling face and gentle and kind nature. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
    Gloria Fridrich
  • Nakeita Norman
    Nakeita Norman:
    January 18, 2021
    Dr. Rao, I am still in utter shock and express my sincerest condolences on the lost of Dr. Brikina. There has not been a day that has gone by that I have not thought about you and your precious girls since learning of her passing. I am reminded of her...  more
  • Marc Frimerman
    Marc Frimerman:
    January 17, 2021
    Dr. Rao I am extremely saddened and my heart goes out to you and your daughters having such a sudden lost with such a beautiful person so very close to the hearts of you and your daughters . Take it from me my friend. I am sure your mind and your girls...  more
  • Denis Ryzhikov
    Denis Ryzhikov:
    January 15, 2021
    Prashant,

    Both Olga and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Elena. Elena has always been a bright light and a joy to talk to and be next to. We are honored to have had the chance to know Elena.

    Our hearts are with you and Maya and Jackie. Please let...  more
  • Janis Coremin
    Janis Coremin:
    January 14, 2021 · via iPhone
    Dear Dr Rao,

    I have been a patient of Dr Brikena’s for 2 years now. I am so sad to hear of her passing. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Dr B always took such great care of me and she was so warm and kind. I always felt safe...  more
  • Tracy MacIntyre Raykovicz
    Tracy MacIntyre Raykovicz:
    January 14, 2021
    Dr. Rao,

    We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Dr.Brikina. We are praying for you and your family.

    Dr. MacIntyre and all the staff at Blink Eyecare
  • Susan C
    Susan C:
    January 13, 2021
    Dear Dr. Rao,

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls. We are heartbroken. We have been with you practice a long time and feel more like friends than patients. Dr. B was a sweet soul. She will truly be missed.

    With deepest sympathy,
    The...  more
  • Durga B
    Durga B:
    January 12, 2021 · via iPhone
    Dr Rao, so sorry for your loss. We are shocked and sad. Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers .
  • Ruchi & Anupam Tripathi
    Ruchi & Anupam Tripathi:
    January 12, 2021 · via iPhone
    So saddened to hear about Dr. Yelena’s sudden passing. It is an unimaginable loss. We wish strength to the family Dr. Rao and to the Cedarwalk team. Our deepest condolences 🙏🏼

    Ruchi & Anupam
  • Brianne D
    Brianne D:
    January 12, 2021 · via iPhone
    Dr. B is the only dentist who ever made it enjoyable to have work done. She was always so kind and compassionate...and patient with a gentle touch. I am so heart broken for her family and her practice family. Please know all of you are in our prayers....  more
  • Olya
    Olya:
    January 12, 2021
    Our family was very saddened to hear about Lena's passing. She was a bubbly, sweet, kind and loving person, and we hope this memory will live in the hearts of those who had a pleasure of knowing Lena. Our prayers go to your family to give you strength...  more
  • Lalit Hemnani
    Lalit Hemnani :
    January 11, 2021 · via iPhone
    We were shocked and saddened to hear the news. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
    Lalit, Tapasia, and Hemnani family
  • Kelly Nelson
    Kelly Nelson:
    January 11, 2021
    We were shocked and saddened to hear about Dr. Brikina's passing.  Dr. Rao, we usually see you as our primary dentist, but I had the pleasure of being seen by your wife one time.  She stepped in to help you out and do my final exam after my...  more
  • Tatiana Razina
    Tatiana Razina:
    January 11, 2021
    How sad we were to hear of Dr. Brikina sudden passing. We respected her so much as competent and caring doctor. We will miss her smiling face and gentle touch very much. We know that Dr. Rao and Cedar Walk Family have suffered a great loss. Our deepest...  more
  • Michelle Travis
    Michelle Travis:
    January 11, 2021
    Dr. Rao, Cedar Walk Staff and daughters,
    Our family is so very sorry for the loss of Yelena. We are all grateful to have been touched by Yelena's kind soul. Whether we crossed paths at the office, on the tennis court or at the club she was always so...  more
  • Laura Laire
    Laura Laire:
    January 11, 2021
    We are so saddened to hear of Yelena's sudden passing and deeply sorry for your loss. There are no words to describe how heartbroken we are, not only for Prashant but for their two beautiful girls. Yelena was such a bright light in this world. She...  more
  • Kamilla Gary Wyatt
    Kamilla Gary Wyatt:
    January 11, 2021
    We were deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Yelena Brikina's sudden passing. She truly was one of the kindest, sweetest people we'd ever met. We will keep Dr. Rao, his daughters, and the Cedar Walk family in our thoughts.

    -Kamilla and Acie Wyatt
  • Brijal Patel
    Brijal Patel:
    January 11, 2021 · via iPhone
    Our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Rao and his family. I had met Dr. Brikina briefly during a visit once. In that brief encounter, I remember what a sweet, gentle, and kind person she was. Our prayers for strength and peace for Dr. Rao and his daughters
  • Michael & Missy Baucom
    Michael & Missy Baucom:
    January 11, 2021
    Dr. Rao,
    Michael and I are so sorry for your loss. I know that no words can communicate how much we hurt for you and your girls. I hope you find comfort in knowing that you both have touched many lives with your kindness and dedication to your skills. ...  more
  • Dominique Greve
    Dominique Greve:
    January 10, 2021
    Dr. Rao,
    We are so sorry for your family's loss. Sending healing and comforting thoughts to you all.
    Pete and Dominique Greve
  • rajesh chellamani
    rajesh chellamani:
    January 10, 2021
    Our heartfelt condolences to you, your daughters and your family at Cedar Walk Dentistry. We are very sorry for your loss. Sending you healing thoughts and comforting hugs. Hope you are doing ok.

    Regards,
    Jay and Rajesh Chellamani
  • Lynette Cal
    Lynette Cal:
    January 10, 2021
    I am so sorry for your loss. The entire Cedar Walk family are in my thoughts and prayers. She will be missed by everyone that her smile and kindness touched.
  • Nataliya Wysock
    Nataliya Wysock:
    January 10, 2021 · via iPhone
    I am so sorry for your loss. Lena was such a breath of fresh air: always positive and helpful, and such a joy to be around. She will be greatly missed. You and your daughters will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Nataliya Wysock
  • Maryam Melton
    Maryam Melton:
    January 10, 2021 · via mobile
    My husband and I have been patients of this practice since moving to Charlotte in 2016. Even after we moved to the other side of town in 2018, we continued as patients because of the great care and smiles of Dr Rao and Dr B. I loved to talk about places...  more
  • Ann and John Pehta
    Ann and John Pehta:
    January 10, 2021
    We are so very saddened by this news. We have been patients of Cedar Walk Dentistry since 2009 and Dr. Rao, Dr. Brikina and the entire staff have been an important part of our lives since. Dr. Rao, our words will never adequately express our deep and...  more
  • Karina McArthur
    Karina McArthur:
    January 10, 2021 · via iPhone
    I will never forget Lena. She was a beautiful person. The world is bleaker without her.
  • Jean and Richard Rothman
    Jean and Richard Rothman:
    January 10, 2021
    Our hearts go out to you and your family. We have been patients of Cedar Walk Dentistry for a couple of years. During that time we met Dr. Brikina only once since we were mainly under the care of Dr. Rao. It was clear how compassionate and kind she was...  more
  • Caroline Baratta
    Caroline Baratta:
    January 10, 2021 · via iPhone
    My family found CedarWalk Dentistry when looking for an integrative practice that didn’t use mercury, and Dr Brikina was listed on the IAOMT website. Little did we know that we’d be getting so much more. Dr B was not only a dedicated professional,...  more
  • Aswini Karanth
    Aswini Karanth:
    January 10, 2021 · via iPhone
    Dr Rao,
    We are very sorry to hear about your loss.Our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
  • Kaushikbhai Patel
    Kaushikbhai Patel:
    January 10, 2021 · via iPhone
    I am so sorry for recent loss of
    Dr Yelena Brikina , I will pray virtually swaminarayan temple matthews and our guru
    Blessing with her friend and family

    Lord will give you strength to all family members.

    Kayshik patel
  • Alla Thorman
    Alla Thorman:
    January 9, 2021
    I met Elena while we were waiting for our children from a dance lesson about 4 years ago. She was always friendly and warm in communication. She always gave professional advice when I asked her, even when I wasn’t a client yet. Her children inherited...  more
  • Marie Theriault
    Marie Theriault:
    January 9, 2021
    Dr. B was so sweet and kind. I never thought a dentist could be so gentle and caring. So many are missing her bright light, We are remembering the Cedar Walk Dentistry family and especially Dr. Rao and the girls in our prayers.
  • Raji Suresh
    Raji Suresh:
    January 9, 2021 · via iPad
    I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Brikina took care of my father, my son and my husband. She always had a big smile on her face and was so hard-working. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I pray for you and your family to stay strong through this...  more
  • Tim & Lana Loznev
    Tim & Lana Loznev:
    January 9, 2021 · via iPhone
    We were honored to know Elena. She was a blessed doctor, beautiful woman with gentle soul and strong character. We will miss her a lot. Our condolences to you and your family.
  • Ily Munoz
    Ily Munoz:
    January 9, 2021
    Our deepest condolences, Dr. Rao.
    Our family has been patients of Cedar Walk Family Dentistry since you opened. We have seen your family and practice grow. Our hearts are broken to hear of the loss of Dr. Brikina.
    Dr. Brikina was so warm and kind. She...  more
  • Vanessa Danczak
    Vanessa Danczak:
    January 9, 2021 · via iPhone
    Dr. Rao, I am so very sorry to hear about your wife. Being a new patient of yours, I never had the chance to meet her. A young, smart ,beautiful woman taken too soon from her family. My thoughts and prayers are with you .

    Vanessa Danczak
  • Jamie McDaniel-Rudzinski
    Jamie McDaniel-Rudzinski:
    January 9, 2021 · via iPhone
    We are very saddened to hear the news of your wife’s passing.
    We have never had the pleasure in meeting her formally, but we know she was/is a kind soul. Gods child.
    May the peace be with you and your daughters during this difficult time.

    Thank you...  more