Nataliya Vladislavovna Braginskaya

Nataliya Vladislavovna Braginskaya, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt, age 88, is together again with Viktor, her dear husband of nearly 60 years, who passed away four years ago. Nataliya departed this earthly existence on September 20, 2025, surrounded by her family, following a valiant battle with cancer.

Nataliya always considered her family to be her greatest accomplishment. She was a devoted and loving mother who cherished her two daughters above all else. She encouraged them to work hard, to dream big, and to always strive for the best. Nothing brought her greater joy than celebrating their accomplishments, and she loved them fiercely and unconditionally every single day.

Nataliya was born on April 6, 1937, in Orsha, Belarus. From an early age, she was full of energy and drive. She was an avid athlete who excelled in cross-country skiing and swimming, and who loved kayaking and scuba diving alongside her husband. Together, they built their dacha (summer home), which Viktor designed, and Nataliya devoted herself to creating a beautiful, productive garden there. She had a remarkable gift for cultivating plants, whether flowers, fruit trees, or vegetables, especially her prized tomatoes and cucumbers. With patience, a keen eye, and gentle care, she nurtured her garden into abundance. Later, she brought these same qualities to help raise her three granddaughters after moving with Viktor from Russia to America.

Nataliya was as accomplished academically as she was in her personal life. She earned a combined BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in turbine construction and manufacturing, and went on to receive a Ph.D equivalent (the degree of Candidate of Technical Sciences). She was also awarded the academic title of Senior Research Fellow in Road, Track, and Construction Engineering. A respected authority in her field, she held numerous patents for innovations in construction machinery, published widely in technical journals, rose to leadership positions in what was then a male-dominated industry, and was highly regarded by her peers. Her work even took her abroad, where she negotiated trade agreements on behalf of her company.

Beyond her professional success, Nataliya was admired for her sharp mind and wide-ranging knowledge. She was a walking encyclopedia, having an extensive knowledge on many subjects, and was able to quote poetry and literature from memory. She also wrote her own poetry, leaving behind words that reflected both her strength and her tenderness. Above all, Nataliya will be remembered as a strong-willed, intelligent, and elegant woman whose love for her family was unwavering.

She is survived by her two daughters, Yulia (Alexander) and Elizaveta (Alan); four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a nephew; three sisters, one older, two younger; and many others who love her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, an older brother, and a younger sister. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm on September 27, 2025 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah, followed by a celebration of her life at her home.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the devoted doctors, nurses, and caretakers at Huntsman Cancer Institute and Huntsman at Home, whose efforts gave Nataliya not just days, but years, of precious time with her loved ones. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Huntsman Cancer Institute or the PAN Foundation.