Celebrating and Saying Goodbye to Ninel

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Ninel Novik of Blacksburg, age 92, who had studied English with Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley for 20 years. Ninel was determined to improve her English literacy skills -- she and long-time tutor Julie Neely met regularly for many, many years to study English. Ninel passed away on February 28, 2020. 

Ninel’s choice of reading material to help her improve her English vocabulary was Harry Potter books!  Ninel,whose native language was Russian, was so proud to point out a shelf in her apartment, stacked high with her spiral notebooks filled with the hand-written English vocabulary she had learned from J.K Rowling’s Potter books through the years. 

Formerly a gymnastics coach in Russia, Ninel learned to communicate better in English in the grocery store, with her neighbors, and at the doctor’s office.Thank you to Julie for her devotion and dedication to supporting Ninel’s educational goals.  Ninel’s incredible commitment to learning inspires us all to keep growing and striving to know more -- at any age!

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