Antonina ‘Tonya’ Istomin (née Bychkova)

Antonina Istomin (née Bychkova), 95, of London, Ontario, Canada, went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 27, 2024, at Maple View Terrace. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving granddaughters.

Antonina was born in Kokshetau, Kazakhstan on October 1, 1928, to mother Zoya and father Ilya Bytchkovi. Affectionately known as Tonya to her friends, and Babushka or Baba to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Antonina was predeceased by her father and mother, Ilya & Zoya Bytchkovi; her sister, Nina; her husband, Vasily Istomin; her daughter, Nina Bagrin; and her son, Vitaliy Istomin. Antonina was survived by her son-in-law, Walter Bagrin; her grandchildren: Alla Vallejo (Tadeush), Lily Bagrin, Andrew Bagrin (Olga), and Zhanna Brown (Craig); her great-grandchildren: Christian Vallejo, Amelia & Sienna Bagrin, Liam Bagrin-Wilson, Theodore, Roman, and Phillip Brown; her daughter-in-law, Galyna Istomin; her grandchildren: Alexander Merk (Marina), Anna Anderson (Stephen), Aleksey Istomin (Nellya), Elena Viola (Frank), Natalya Fairless (Chad), Oksana, Susana, Emmanuel, Anastasya, and Christina Istomin; and by her great-grandchildren: Isaak & Isaiah Viola, and Daniel Anderson. Her surviving family will miss her dearly, but are comforted by the rich tapestry of memories she leaves behind.

Antonina had a remarkable resilience and strength that was seen throughout her entire life, evidenced by living through very hard times in the former Soviet Union. She survived through famine, war, and persecution of faith. During World War II, at just 14 years old, she began working in a missile factory, where she quickly advanced to Quality Assurance, receiving two medals for her invaluable contributions to the war efforts. Antonina trained as a bookkeeper post-war, a profession from which she eventually retired and became a full-time grandmother – a role she greatly treasured and loved. In 1987, seeking a peaceful life, she and her husband Vasily immigrated to Canada, building a new life filled with love, faith, and community.

Antonina had a passionate effervescence while recalling Russian folklore stories, singing hymns and reciting poems from memory to her grandkids. She enjoyed poetry, her favourites being Russian classics, especially Pushkin. Antonina could also be found crocheting and knitting. Most of all, in her last years of life, she enjoyed daily activities such as colouring, word searches and exercise classes.

Antonina leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, and deep faith. She was the kindest, most loving, selfless person, and was loved by all who came in contact with her because of her unconditional love for others, even to strangers she had just met. Throughout her life, her family felt a special grace upon their lives because of her faithful, daily, and unrelenting prayers of intercession on behalf of her family and loved ones. She had a beautiful childlike faith and loved the Lord with all her heart. She taught her grandchildren to love others and planted seeds of love for Christ and God’s Word in them.

A funeral service will be conducted at Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior. Interment to follow at Oakland Cemetery.

A livestream of the service will be available for those unable to attend in person. To register, please click here:

Remembering Antonina