Anna T. Sukmanova, 79, of Portland, Maine, who was an inspiration to all that had the privilege of knowing her, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ early Sunday morning on May 15, 2022 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Anna was born in Konotop, Ukraine on January 28, 1943, a daughter of Tikhon and Irina Fesenko. In her early adult years she sang in a professional choir and was also a professional dancer and acrobatist, performing all over Europe. She married a military officer, Valeriy Sukmanov, and after moving around different parts of the former Soviet Union they finally settled down in Kamyshin, Russia, where they raised their three children. Anna moved to the United States 15 years ago to experience a better life and to be closer with her family.

Anna was most proud of her family, starting with her own children. She enjoyed spending time with and loving on her ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and especially enjoyed traveling with her family.

Anna was always very creative and loved helping her children with art and science projects throughout their school years as well as using her creativity helping with community events. In addition to sewing and knitting, Anna had developed a deep love for making art with seed beads that she always lovingly shared with her family, friends and people she encountered. She spent a lot of time gardening and was well known for her abilities in growing all sorts of plants and flowers and keeping them alive and thriving, which some may say is reflective of how she poured life into the people she loved. She never let anyone leave her presence hungry and always left a space better than she found it. Her family and friends would all agree that she was a light in their life, filling them with her joy and servitude. She was known as someone very hardworking and serving, caring for everyone whether they were related to her or not. She loved to laugh and had an incredible positive attitude even during her illness and through her last days.

Anna was a member of New Life Church in Biddeford, Maine.

She is survived by her three children Vyacheslav and Ekaterina Sukmanov, Irina Malayev and Maria Pankova; grandchildren Oksana Krutieva and Ilya Ananichev, Aleksandr Sukmanov, Arseniy Sukmanov, Sophia and Garett Collins, Kaitlin Malayev, Victoria Malayev, Ellen Malayev, Sarah Malayev, Tatiana Malayev and Nikita Babakov and great grandchildren Zara Collins, Bella Collins, Maksim Krutiev and Artem Krutiev.

Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 20, 2022, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James Street, Saco. Doors will open at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery at 293 Beach Street, Saco.