In 1956, when Lyudochka Zak was 18-years-old, she not only read the novel “Two Captains” by Veniamin Kaverin, but she also fell in love with its heroes—Sanya Grigoriyev and Katya Tatarinov. A girl from an intellectual family, and one who truly loved reading about beautiful and brave people, Lyudochka always remembered “to struggle and search, to discover, and never give up.” She not only remembered, but often acted according to these rules of Kaverin’s heroes.

Lyudochka was a native Muscovite. She loved her city and did everything possible to be happy there. She was admitted to one of the most selective academic establishments, Moscow's Bauman High Technical School (BHTS), which rarely admitted Jewish applicants. Here again she was served by the mottos of Kaverin’s heroes. Her studies at BHTS were very difficult, but our Lyudochka was a strong person. She became a good engineer, a loving wife to Boris Maxovich Prokhorov, and a kind, devoted mother to her daughter Natasha.

Among those close to her—family, friends and co-workers—she was always a leader. Wherever we were, whatever we were doing, if Lyudochka arrived, everything became warmer and happier, and any sorrows or bad moods disappeared. Our hearts ache unbearably to think that this will never be the case again.

People in Moscow had been talking about the musical “Nord-Ost” for several years, since the time when the authors were only just beginning to work on it. The libretto is based on Kaverin’s “Two Captains,” and Lyudochka and Boris Prokhorov were looking forward to meeting the heroes of their youth. “A world-class musical” was the reaction from critics and audiences after its premiere. From its opening, audiences included people of all ages, so among the Chechen rebels’ hostages were young children, as well as those already retired and on their pensions, who were very dear to us—Lyudochka and Boris.

Boris is still alive and called us from the hospital. The call was an alert: he couldn’t find Lyudochka. For more than three days, Natasha searched for her mama with Lyudochka’s brother Georgii. After the gas attacks, her face was so changed that it was impossible to recognize her. They called their relatives in America many times. When they found her, she had a watch in her hand; a gift from one of us on a previous visit to Moscow.

Boris is still in the hospital. And Lyudochka—with enormous difficulties Lyudochka was given a funeral—for free. Yet this “free funeral” cost those of us close to her a great deal.

For us, her relatives, it remains only to remember this person who was so dear to us, and to implore God to save those who are innocent of evil acts on this earth.

Written by Leonid and Lyudmila Sandler, Sofia Kabak and Isaac Gurvitz.