‘Now Mom and Dad Are Together.’ Story of a Widow Who Died on Her Soldier Husband’s Funeral Day
Tatyana was 36 and Sergey 29 when they married, despite the seven-year age gap.
In Kamensk-Uralsky on January 13, they said goodbye to Tatyana Shishina. The vibrant and cheerful dancer suddenly died on the day of her husband’s funeral—a participant in the special military operation. Her lifeless body was found in the apartment by relatives.
Relatives say that from the moment Tatyana learned of her husband’s death, she was grief-stricken and tried to hide her emotions from her 11-year-old daughter. On the eve of the funeral, the widow had prepared everything for the mourning ceremony, but Sergey was seen off on his final journey without her.
The love story of Tatyana and Sergey Shishin was told to us by their relatives.
‘They Were a Normal Family’
According to the sister of the deceased soldier, the couple’s family life was not always ideal. They were introduced by a mutual friend with whom Sergey was close, and Tatyana worked at the same factory. In 2011, the couple got married, and three years later their daughter was born.
Tatyana had been married before and had adult children, while Sergey was marrying for the first time. He was seven years younger than his wife, but the age difference didn’t bother them.
‘They were a completely ordinary, normal family, they quarreled and even separated for some time, but then got back together. Their daughter was very attached to her dad,’ Sergey’s sister told E1.RU.
Family and friends remember Tatyana as a devoted wife and mother who cherished her family.
Over the years of marriage, Tatyana changed several professions: she worked as an assembler at a factory, then moved to a sewing factory and tried her hand at trade. Recently, relatives say, she became a homemaker and was raising her daughter.
Sergey was an electrician and earned well—at least he never complained to his family about financial difficulties. However, he rarely shared his feelings in general. He even told his family about his decision to go to the special military operation only after he had submitted all the documents.
‘No one even thought he would go there, he didn’t say anything to anyone. And he didn’t tell Tanya either. He first came to me and showed the military commission’s conclusion that he was passing. Then he called her. She said to him: “Are you fooling around again?” and he says: “What fooling around, it’s all done.” And so he signed the contract on November 25,’ Sergey’s sister shared.
Sergey was posthumously recommended for the Order of Courage by his military command.
Sergey served in the special operation zone for a little over a year. During that time he was wounded and came home for a whole month to recover, but after rehabilitation he returned to the front line. Tatyana often cried and was terribly worried when her husband didn’t contact her for long periods.
‘He promised her that he would come home soon. He wanted to go on vacation in January, they were supposed to give him leave. On December 21 he wrote to her for the last time and then disappeared, and on December 30 she was informed that Sergey had died,’ the soldier’s sister said. ‘She sat and cried, said nothing, kept it all inside. She simply couldn’t bear the grief.’
‘It’s a Dream’
Sergey Shishin died on December 26, E1.RU confirmed with the administration of Kamensk-Uralsky. The farewell ceremony was scheduled for January 8, it took place at two in the afternoon—but the soldier’s widow did not live to see it. Relatives have already been told what caused her death.
‘She died at night. She prepared everything for the funeral and died. She had a stroke. She was very worried. After all, her husband,’ Tatyana’s sister explained to E1.RU.
Tatyana practiced belly dancing and took her younger daughter to choreography classes. Family acquaintances say: the 50-year-old woman was so full of life that it is hard for them to believe in her death.
‘She was bright, beautiful, kind. She loved life, children, animals, and dancing. Tatyana was a kind, responsive person,’ shared Yana Tolmacheva, the coach of the Shafran studio where the woman practiced.
Tatyana had a great passion for dancing, especially belly dance, which she practiced for years.
The 11-year-old daughter of Sergey and Tatyana was left an orphan. Her older brother, who is over 30, plans to obtain guardianship. He will take care of the paperwork right after his mother’s funeral.
‘The child is already grown up, she understands everything. She saw how Tanya was suffering. She says: now dad and mom are together, their souls are close,’ the girl’s aunt said.
Relatives say that Tatyana will not be buried next to her husband. Sergey’s grave is on the Avenue of Glory next to other soldiers who died in the special military operation, and his wife will rest in another section of the cemetery.
E1.RU editorial office expresses condolences to the family and loved ones of the couple.
