DELMAR – Anna Fineblood Leytman, 89 of Delmar passed away Wednesday January 26, 2022 at home after a brief illness. Born May11, 1932 in Leningrad, USSR to the late Boris and Klara Fineblood.
Anna was evacuated from Leningrad during the blockade of WWII in 1941. After the war she returned to Leningrad attending both public and music schools. She graduated music school an accomplished classical pianist and singer. Anna switched gears from music to medicine earning a dentistry degree and then doctorate from medical college rising to status of oral surgeon. Anna worked with teams of other doctors to perform complex surgeries including facial reconstruction for accident and suicide survivors. She practiced for 23 years before emigrating her family from Russia.
Anna came to USA with her husband, Igor, and daughter, Ludmila Leytman, in 1979 initially to Jersey City, NJ before moving to Newburgh, NY where Anna worked for a dental practice. Anna and Igor retired in the late 1990s moving to Delmar, NY to live closer to Ludmila’s family.
Anna and Igor enjoyed 12 happy years of productive retirement paying a lot of attention to granddaughters Clare and Rachel. They undoubtedly provided inspiration for the girls subsequent academic achievements. Anna was a person of strong will, great integrity, and compassion. During her career as a doctor, she helped many people and saved lives.
Anna also had many varied interests. She had a strong sense of décor, stylishly decorating their apartment, and possessed a taste for beautiful things. She read a lot, particularly on topics of literature, social studies, philosophy and astronomy. That background enabled her to assist her husband Igor to write a book of political and social evolution titled “The Objective Laws Governing Social Transformations”. Drafts of the book were shared online but Igor did not live long enough to complete publication.
Anna and Igor shared a deep intellectual and emotional bond. After 56 years of marriage, Igor passed in 2012. Since then, Anna remained living independently in Delmar with the support of her family. But life without Igor was very difficult for Anna. He was her world.
Anna is survived by her daughter and son in law Ludmila and John Gaffey of Albany NY, her two granddaughters: Rachel Gaffey of Albany NY and Clare Gaffey (fiancé Gabriel Gennari) of Worcester MA, her sister in law, Marina Kurzina, niece Elena Leytman, and Elena’s children, Misha and Daniel, all of Stockholm, Sweden.
We mourn the passing of our extraordinary Anna. We hold dear the memories and lessons she left us. A private service was held at Hans Funeral Home on January 28th. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .
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