Obituary-LANA FINK

Lana Fink, age 78, of Clermont, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, at Quality Health Care Center Hospice in Winter Garden. A native of Baku, Azerbaijan, she was the only daughter and one of four children born to the late Lazar Khodorkovsky and Bertha Brodetskaya. Lana earned her pharmaceutical degree and worked initially as a pharmacist in an independent pharmacy and later as a hospital pharmacist before leaving the Soviet Union.

The family made their way to the United States, arriving in New York on Sept. 11, 1975, and going directly to Baltimore with only the clothes on their backs and few other possessions. They were the first Jewish family to immigrate to the U.S. from Azerbaijan. Lana earned her certifications as a cosmetologist and began a successful career providing services for many clients, including Oprah Winfrey, appearing on Baltimore’s TV stations many times. She loved music and poetry—reciting Pushkin to her daughter, Stella, and writing poetry for her husband, Jack, to whom she was married for 47 years. A world traveler, she was loved by all who knew her.

The family moved to Central Florida in 1998, and Lana’s friends and neighbors were frequent guests around her table. She cherished and enjoyed the beauty of nature; viewing the sunrise and sunset through special glasses, smelling the salt air and flowers’ fragrances. Her home was filled with flowers.

Lana was predeceased by her husband, Jack, in 2008, and her son, Marat, in 2004, and her three brothers. She is survived by her daughter, Stella (Rod) Friedland and her grandsons, Ryan Friedland and David Friedland and her granddaughter, Gabriella Fink.

Funeral services, with Joseph Goldovitz of Congregation Sinai officiating, were held at the Pavilion at Ohev Shalom Cemetery followed by interment.

In memory of Lana Fink, the family requests contributions to Congregation Sinai, 1200 W. Broad Street, Groveland 34736. http://www.congregation-sinai.org. Arrangements entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 640 Lee Road, Orlando 32810. 407-599-1180, http://www.bethshalommemorialchapel.com.