Yaroslavna’s Story

Site created on April 29, 2018


On Friday, December 20, Yaroslavna Adams passed away peacefully after a noble battle with cancer. Always bringing a sparkle to someone's day with her thoughtful gestures, Yaroslavna's kind smile and generous spirit were known across the island. 

In 1989, Yaroslavna came to the island from Novosibirsk, Russia as part of an East-West theater exchange. The deep impression she left on Bainbridge led her to return to a lifelong group of friends and the love of her life, Todd Adams. They were engaged at Bloedel Reserve.


A constant giver, Yaroslavna tutored math and reading to Blakely Elementary students for many years even continuing to help after her kids moved on to middle school. She earned tens of thousands of dollars for island non-profits by managing dessert-dashes for dinner fundraisers, was part of several boards, and was godmother to many island children. 


She is survived by her two loving children Nora and Quincy, her husband Todd, her parents Nelli Morozova and Sergey Udalov (Bainbridge Island) and her brother Alexander Udalov (Switzerland) in addition to hundreds of friends that she lovingly nurtured into a close extended family. As you can imagine, the family's loss is unimaginable. They will need time to rest.

If you are friends of Nelli and Sergey, they have asked for complete privacy as they grieve.


If you knew Yaroslavna you were brought closely into the fold. She offered the rest of us an incredible example of how to live life with love and joy every day. Her glorious light burned brighter than most, but it just couldn't last as long.


Donations in Yaroslavna’s name can be made to Island Volunteer Caregivers, The Bloedel Reserve, BIMA or any other local non-profit she was known to volunteer to or support.  


Please understand that her Russian modesty kept her from sharing her illness publicly, so her death will come as quite a shock. She chose to keep her journey private in order to preserve a sense of normalcy, in this community she loved, for as long as was possible. 


If you'd like to help deliver meals to the family in the coming weeks, please register at: https://my.lotsahelpinghands.com/community/thefamilyofyaroslavnaadams


Scroll down  to leave the family a message.

- Molly Apel

Newest Update

February 20, 2021

Journal entry by Molly Apel —

Hello friends,
Today, at Bloedel we saw the first view of Yaroslavna's magnolia (species Felix Jury) planted just beyond the rhododendron glen. Later this year it's giant, fuzzy buds will yield deep pink, 12-inch flowers. The next time you're walking through, look for this new addition and send a wish to Yaroslavna.
Molly Apel
Read More of the journal titled "February 20, 2021"
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