Mother Lyubov [Louthan]

Mother Lyubov [Louthan] of Saints Mary and Martha Monastery here fell asleep in the Lord Friday, February 22, 2013.  She had recently been diagnosed with late stage cancer.

The oldest of the five children of the late Thomas and Ruth Farabaugh, she was born in eastern North Carolina’s Duplin County on March 13, 1948.  Mother Lyubov spent most of her life serving others.  Having earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy from the University of North Carolina, she spent most of her career working as a pharmacist at Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Springs, MD, where her knowledge, great attention to details, and prayerful and loving care of patients and coworkers alike brought help and comfort to many.

Raised in the Roman Catholic tradition, she and her family converted to Orthodox Christianity in 1982.  After raising her children, she fulfilled her life-long calling to enter monastic life at Saints Mary and Martha Monastery, where she spent the last five years of her life deepening her faith and dedication to doing God’s will and, in the process, helping many with her down-to-earth prayers and spiritual direction.

Mother Lyubov is survived by two brothers, Tim and Glenn, and two sisters, Tess and Maria; three daughters, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Brittany; and eight grandchildren.

On Sunday, February 24, a Panikhida will be celebrated at Saints Mary and Martha Monastery at 4:30 p.m., after which the Psalter will be chanted until the celebration of the Funeral Service on Monday, February 25, at 11:00 a.m.  Interment and a mercy meal will follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mother Lyubov’s memory may be made to Saints Mary and Martha Monastery, 65 Spinner Lane, Wagener, SC 29164.

May Mother Lyubov’s memory be eternal!