Nina (Slesarenko) Geller

Nina was born on October 8, 1946, in Maykop, Russia. She earned her Masters degree in Physics from the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute and later became a professor there. In 1980, she left Russia for New York, where she transformed her career, first as a computer programmer at J.P. Morgan and then as a software developer at Sullivan & Cromwell. 

Anyone that knew her knew she was a force to be reckoned with. Nina traversed the globe, having countless adventures and forging lifelong friendships along the way. She had an immense passion for music and dancing, and her home was always filled with music, most likely the Beatles. Nina also had an incredible talent for gardening, with a backyard full of flowers, herbs, and berries which she was always offering to her family and friends. 

She loved her family and her grandchildren fiercely, and we are grateful that our kids got the chance to know their Baba and make memories with her, like making pierogies and picking and eating berries straight from her garden. A day was not complete without a glass of red wine, a piece of good cheese, and a Lindt chocolate. 

Nina is survived by her two children, Mikhail (Victoria) Geller and Anna (Nick) Nordseth; grandchildren Peter Nordseth, Elena Nordseth, Benjamin Nordseth, and Illiana Geller; sister Lucy (Valentine) Ostrovsky and nephew Gene Ostrovsky. 

She would want us not to grieve but to dance, laugh, sing, and celebrate her memory. Services to celebrate her life will be held at 1pm on Sunday, July 14th at Pleasant Manor Funeral Home in Thornwood, NY, followed by a reception at our family home in Hartsdale, NY. Please do not wear black to mourn her, but instead wear colors to celebrate her life and her memories. In lieu of flowers, donations toward a memorial tree in her memory can be made to the Untermyer Gardens via this link and dedicating the gift in her name.

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/untermyergardensconservancy/

Family and friends are invited to Pleasant Manor Funeral Home, Inc. 575 Columbus Avenue - Thornwood, New York 10594 on Sunday, July 14, 2024 from 1:00 - 1:45 PM for funeral services.  Nina will be laid to rest following the funeral services on Sunday at The Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York.

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