Funeral today for Niagara Falls artist, teacher Kulikova killed in QEW crash
A funeral will be held today for Niagara Falls painter, music teacher and environmental advocate Elena Kulikova.
Kulikova was on her way to Markham last Thursday night when her car became pinned between a concrete barrier and a tractor-trailer which had rolled over and caught fire. Her scorched vehicle wasn’t discovered until early the next morning.
Kulikova’s dog Mozart also died in the crash.
Since the news stunned family and friends last Friday, there have been two ceremonies celebrating her life. Sister Kristina says it shows what an effect she had on people in the GTA and since moving to Niagara Falls a year ago.
“We are so proud,” she says. “It makes us feel absolute love and pride for Elena, who she was as a human. There were many elements we didn’t know, about what she was doing, what she was involved in, how many people’s lives she impacted.
“Just seeing this response — unfortunate that it’s after her death — it’s special to see somebody that was so close to us will leave a legacy behind.”
In addition to her art, Kulikova taught piano and vocal lessons. Kristina says several students have come forward to share how she helped them overcome their shyness.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Kulikova’s parents Sergey and Tatyana with funeral expenses. A portion of funds raised will go towards Plastic Oceans Canada.
Helping rid the world of single-use plastics was her recent passion, says Kristina. She recently held a fundraising art/fashion show in St. Catharines for the cause.
Kristina says her sister was working on an “arts incubator” with artist Evelyn Bailey in Niagara Falls. She also had plans to further her music career. Unbeknownst to many close to her, she was about to start a new job as a business development manager near Toronto next month.
Whatever she accomplished, she wanted other people to share it.
“She would not ever want to seek success on her own,” she says. “She always wanted to succeed with others and ensure that people come up with her, whatever she did.”
Services for the 34-year-old artist will be held at Patterson Funeral Home on Main Street starting at 1 p.m. Visitation starts at 10 a.m.
Donations will be accepted to Plastic Oceans Canada for its cleanup efforts. Kulikova was the group’s corporate arts sponsor and donated 30 per cent of all her art proceeds to the cause.