A UKRAINIAN refugee who has died in Taunton following a short illness has been described as "a little lady with a big heart".

Olha Krivoruchko, 40, died on Sunday (March 12) shortly before her husband Yurii arrived in the town following a dash from their native country.

Paying tribute to his wife, Yurii told the County Gazette: "Olha was a kind-hearted person who liked other people and always wanted to help them.

"She was so aim-orientated that she always achieved her goals.

"Olha was a little lady with a big heart."

She fled the war in Ukraine sparked by the Russian invasion and found shelter in the UK.

Olha, who lived in the town of Lubny, in Poltova, came to Taunton on August 13 last year, where she said she was warmly welcomed and supported by the local community.

She had grown up in a big family with three sisters.

She was friendly and loved celebrating different events, arranging them for friends.

She was passionate about cooking, especially making delicious treats for her family and friends.

Olha was creative and enjoyed dressing up and making cool hairstyles for herself.

Yurii added: "She shared everything she had with her family and loved making gifts for everyone.

"On New Year's Eve, she collected eight parcels for her relatives and she always said, 'Well, they also want to try some nice food'.

"She was a hardworking person and felt confident when she was working."

In Taunton, Olha took a jobs as a production worker with Mademoiselle Desserts in Frobisher Way.

When Olha lived in Ukraine, she was keen on gardening because taking care of plants made her "happy and energised her".

Yurii said: "She was excited to help everyone. However, she couldn't help herself.

"The only fear Olha had was loneliness."

She couldn't bear staying for a long time without her husband. The couple had been together for 10 years and were very much in love.

Fellow Ukrainian Nataly Bogdanovich said: "Now Yurii's heart is broken into pieces and he doesn't know how to live without his beloved woman."

A farewell ceremony for Olha will be held in Taunton in the near future and a memorial day will take place in Ukraine.

Thomas Brennan, Olha's sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine scheme who is now sponsoring her husband Yurii, said: "It was an honour for us to sponsor Olha and welcome her into our home last August.

"Olha became part of our family and we will miss her infectious smile.

"She loved children and was happiest cooking.

"It gave her great joy when Sarah liked her Ukrainian meals.

"We are sponsoring Yurii now. He is heartbroken. I hope he raises enough to be able to bring Olha home."

 

 

READ MORE: Ukrainian woman Olha Krivoruchko dies in Taunton.