By Sergei Baranoff
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I first met Anna when she was a schoolgirl, a year or two before she 
finished secondary school (the famous mathematical school #56 in Moscow) 
and entered Moscow State University. I was a friend of her parents; 
Grisha and I met at conferences on programming and, when in Moscow, I 
often stayed at their friendly apartment - full of charm, hospitality, 
and Bella's wonderful cooking. I wasn't actually her Godfather, but 
noticed that her attitude to religion was serious and deep.  That is 
unusual at this age, and I liked and encouraged that.
 
Through Anya's parents I also got acquainted with her teacher of 
mathematics and programming (at that time a graduate from the Moscow 
University, and now a well-known specialist in mathematical logic) and I 
could observe her fast progress in these subjects. During one of my 
Moscow visits, this teacher asked me to tell Anna's class about the 
programming language Forth. (I was preparing to publish a book on this 
subject). I talked to the pupils for a while, explained the differences 
in various Forth standards, and left a magnetic tape (I believe the 
school had a PDP-11 clone) with my most recent Forth implementation for 
them to play with. Afterwards Anya composed a verse which reflects her 
vivid and bright character; this is my approximate translation from 
Russian:
     Jack and Anne have got some broth
     With this strange name, "old Forth".
     I shall better make tape run
     And shall taste the younger one.
 
When she studied at the University and was doing her graduate projects, 
occasionally I chatted with her Professors and scientific supervisors at 
conferences and other meetings. The reports were always most positive.
 
So when she graduated (with best marks) from the University it was 
obvious to everyone who knew her that she should start her PhD study. At 
that time trips to the West for education were rare luxuries. So when it 
became possible to apply, many friends (and me, too) advised her to try. 
She tried and succeeded along with Igor as soon as they got married. I 
believe their success was exclusively due to her and Igor's talents. 
plus favourable general circumstances.
 
Yes, she had a pleasant voice and could play piano and guitar and sing 
Russian songs. Once in Moscow (I believe it was in 1991), we had a party 
at Grisha's house with Larry Forsley and Brenda (American Forthers from 
Rochester, NY). Anya beautifully sang brilliant Russian poems (both 
early 20th-Century and contemporary), demonstrating her knowledge and 
ability. But, as I recall, Stenka Razin strikes a different mood; it's a 
choral song for an open broad space, while Anya's voice was more 
intimate.
 
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Prof.Sergei Baranoff 14 liniya 39 SPIIRAN, St.Petersburg, 199178, Russia
E-mail: sergei@iias.spb.su   Tel: +7(812)213-3570   Fax: +7(812)218-0685
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