Irina D. Veretnova
Irina Veretnova, age 64, left her earthly body to be with the Lord on May 30, 2025 while surrounded by her family at her home in Erie, PA.
Irina, 3rd of 13 children, was born in Kaliningrad, Russia to late Denis and Anna Kartashov on February 18, 1961.
Nearly 25 years of living in Erie, Irina touched the lives of many people and is dearly loved by family and friends who will miss her greatly. This was a lady of many worthy attributes – thoughtful, sensible, organized, neat, hard-working, generous, creative. Always an encourager, she would point others to the silver lining in any situation. She had the ‘gift’ of being able to turn a simple event into a celebration. In 2016, she embarked on a new artistic path – making her first wool-painting. She had since made hundreds as gifts to family and friends, and selling others at craft shows. These special pictures are admired by many and appreciated by all who possess them. She also had a “green thumb”, working on the lovely flower garden at her home and she even won an award or two.
God shone His light on this earth through Irina; she was always a channel for His love. In the summer of 2021, she was diagnosed with cancer and handled the last four years as she did the rest of her life - with positivity! She endeared herself to doctors, nurses, and all the medical staff at St. Vincent. Irina believed that God keeps everyone in His hands and knows each person’s past, present, and future. She knew Him as a God of mercy and love. This special lady would not want those who love her to be in mourning; we are to be thankful for the time she graced our lives.
She leaves behind her six children, Tamara, Ekaterina, Anatoliy, Galina (and her husband, William), Nadezhda, and Viktor; her six grandchildren, Robert, Melana, Alexander, Gabriel, Nikolay and Lucas, and nine siblings and their families.
In addition to her parents, Irina was preceded in death by her husband, Vladimir in 2015, and three siblings.
Irina was a lady of great positivity, reflecting God’s love to all with whom she interacted. She’s gone too soon for all on earth who loved her, but Jesus called her to Heaven and He loves her best.
A celebration-of-life will be held as a private event.