Anna Tokmakova (September 1, 1928-October 29, 2014)

When she first opened her eyes, Anna saw the clear blue sky. She was born in the midst of a field of wheat her mother was harvesting on a small farm in rural Russia to Maria and Anysim Tokmakov. She was the youngest of four children. On his deathbed, Anna's father told her that the one thing she should do in life is study... to move beyond the humble, illiterate beginnings she was granted. Anna earned the right to attend the State University of Tashkent, where she received a master’s degree in accounting and financial planning. In her first job, she was quickly promoted to chief financial officer. One day, the company's head engineer, Yevgeniy (Eugene) Varshaver, stormed into her office and demanded attention. Calmly, Anna requested that he leave and return when he could be more respectful. It was love at first sight! They were married soon after, and lived in Volgograd where they raised their two children, Michael and Marina. After her husband passed away, Anna followed her children to Moscow, to help raise her granddaughters, Yevgenia (Jane) and Maria. Several years later, she followed her daughter to the United States to help raise her grandson, David. And although she was not able to spend much time with her granddaughter Alissa who was born soon after David, she always kept her in her heart. Anna was the grandmother, not only to her biological family, but to many children she took care of in her lifetime. In her later years she found companionship and purpose at the New Hope adult center, where she was loved and admired by many. Named after a saint, Anna was a devoted Russian orthodox. She had to hide her faith during the Communist era and learned to pray in private. Recently, she found solace in attending services at St. Stephen’s Church of Verree Rd, Philadelphia. Anna was full of light and love for all the people who were close to her. She had an incredibly strong will and always strove to do the right thing. She will be missed beyond words…beyond measure. On her last day, the sun set in the most spectacular way. She painted all of us in brilliant gold and crimson.

Anna is survived by her loving daughter Marina Volin and her son in law Greg Stephens of Newtown, her four grandchildren Jane “Yevgenia”, David, Maria, Natasha “Alissa” and her great granddaughter Alexandra.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing and Funeral service on Sunday November 2, 2014, at 2:00pm at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home located at 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd. (at Holland Rd.) Richboro, PA 18954. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation or volunteer time to a cause of your choice.