Prifteresha Elisabeth Bouteneff fell asleep in the Lord on November 25, 2023, just shy of her 75th birthday, , surrounded by the love of her family and friends.
Born in Clamart, France, and raised in the surrounding environs, Elisabeth (better known to all as Lisa) was the third of five children of Michel and Marie Lopoukhine and grew up as an Orthodox Christian.
She graduated from the University of Paris (Sorbonne) with a double major of English and Russian Studies, connecting her love of books with a grounding in family. Astute Google users can find a video online of Lisa amongst a group of revelers at a Russian Youth festival in France in 1972, as a part of a group of emigres dancing, singing, and laughing as they talk about music and connecting over shared identity and popular culture.
After university, an opportunity arose for Lisa to visit a friend in America; it was on this fateful trip that she met her future husband, (Father) Sergei C. Bouteneff.
Lisa and Sergei were married in 1974 at the family chapel of Saints Constantine and Helen in Clamart, France, and they began their life in New York City. During this time she acclimated to life in the United States, ensconcing herself in pop culture to perfect her English, while her husband was continuing his journey in the service of the Church with her support. Not long after their move to Nyack, she gave birth to their son Serge.
Two years later, and back in New York City, she gave birth to their daughter, Anna. Then-Deacon Sergei was ordained priest and assigned to the Holy Trinity Church in New Britain, CT. Two years later, she gave birth to their second daughter, Natalia. Once the children became more independent, Lisa pursued her vocation of education in the parish church school, and she began working at the local public library.
When the family was transferred to Saint George Church in Trumbull, CT, she continued her work in education with the parish church school in the capacity of coordinator. Years later, she received a Synodal Grammota from the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, for her tireless contribution to the education of the children of the Church.
For many years, Lisa worked at Traditional Cassocks, sewing Clergy vestments and cassocks, bringing her love of sewing back to the forefront. Lisa always enjoyed handicrafts, and many have been blessed by her handiwork as they welcomed their newborns.
Lisa loved and was loved by her families both nuclear and extended, chosen and blood alike. In everything she did, she led with love: if she knew you, she loved you. You never left her home without a happy heart or full stomach. Lisa was blessed by her five grandchildren, and she cherished the time that they spent together.
Lisa is predeceased by both parents and by her sisters Catherine and Sophia as well as brother-in-law Michel Sollogoub. She is survived by her husband, Archpriest Sergei C., son Serge (Heather, daughters Clara and Mira), daughters Anna and Natalia (Jason and daughter Morgan); brothers Michel and Nicolas and their respective families; brother-in-law, Fr. Nicolas Rehbinder and his family; her deceased Catherine Sollogoub’s family; sister-in-law, Dr. Marina Koulomzin (George); her beloved niece Natasha Lopoukhine-Fillyaw and her family (husband John and sons Roman and Rafael Fillyaw, who are her grandsons). She is also survived by numerous loving cousins and extended family around the world.
The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers for memorial donations be made to the Saint George Future Fund, 5490 Main Street, Trumbull, CT 06611-2900.
May Prifteresha Elisabeth’s memory be eternal!