Anna Tsimelzon

Anna Tsimelzon died peacefully on Thursday, March 12, 2026. She was born on May 11, 1943, in Ashgabad, Turkmenistan, during World War II. Her parents, Iosif Tsimelzon, who came from Belarus, and Yelena Lozinskaya, originally from Moscow, met while working as young geophysicists in the deserts of Turkmenistan, where they participated in discovering vital oil fields that were important to the USSR's efforts against fascist Germany. Born during wartime, Anna quickly adapted to harsh conditions and developed the resilience that later helped her face many challenges in life. After World War II, the family relocated to Baku, Azerbaijan, which became her hometown. There she completed both high school and music school and boldly applied to the renowned Faculty of Mathematics at the most prestigious Moscow State University, where she also continued her musical studies. Later, back in Baku, she earned a PhD in mathematics and contributed to several noteworthy scientific projects. Anna was deeply passionate about her work and achieved notable success, not only in Baku at the Academy of Science and Oil and Gas Academy (specializing in computer applications for geophysics), but also later in Houston, USA. Her family immigrated to the United States as refugees in 1992 joining her brother's family who left Baku earlier. Being nearly 50 years old at that time and speaking little English, she overcame the fear that finding a professional job in the United States at that age would be impossible. Initially, she secured a position as a translator/interpreter at the oil and gas company Amoco, where she spent ten productive years. She was part of the group traveling to Baku as a translator to collaborate with the city's largest oil and gas company Sokhnut. After Amoco ceased the operations, she was worried and concerned, but quickly secured a new position in the medical field. She applied her mathematics expertise in the probability theory to use first at MD Anderson Cancer Center and later continued her career at Baylor College of Medicine. In her capacity as a researcher, she specialized in applying advanced medical statistics and was immensely proud of working on the development of Human Genome. In every position she held, she was recognized for her dedication, exemplary professionalism and responsibility, strong organizational abilities, and consistently modest demeanor. She published numerous scientific articles in professional journals and demonstrated a constant striving for excellence in all her endeavors. She shared a remarkable bond of love and respect with her family—her parents and younger brother Boris which formed the foundation of their well-being. She was a devoted daughter who credited her father, the renowned geophysicist Iosif Tsimelzon and her lifelong mentor, for inspiring her accomplishments through his steady guidance. She worked productively almost to the age of 80, and only the Covid epidemic made her stop working. Her loving mother, Yelena Lozinskaya, was always her rock, just as her father was, and their mutual affection and care were evident to everyone who knew the family. Her parents lived into their late nineties, and Anna's loving care was undoubtedly one of the reasons they enjoyed such long and happy lives. She was also deeply devoted to her younger brother Boris, whom she adored, and the two always supported one another. She cared deeply for her nephew Mark and niece Ally, took great pride in their achievements, and later showed genuine affection and interest in their children—Nathan and Max, Julia and Leo. Following her mother's tradition, she maintained close connections with relatives scattered across the world, staying in contact with family members and close friends abroad and always offering support to those in need. Anna traveled extensively throughout America and Europe, embarking on several cruises and visiting many countries. She also maintained an active daily routine that included regular physical exercise. From an early age, she demonstrated strong athletic ability, following in her father's footsteps. She loved swimming and kept it as a daily habit for many years, setting a remarkable example for her entire family. At the age of 75, after her parents passed away at the impressive age of 97, Anna moved to an independent living community and found happiness there. She especially enjoyed daily swimming in the neighboring university’s large pool and participated in various cultural activities, including attending opera performances and organizing screenings of renowned Oscar-winning films for fellow residents. She also formed many friendships in her new home. Anna found a new calling in the Toastmasters program. She wrote wonderful posts and stories about her family and life in Baku. On Facebook, she shared poignant and tender reflections about her family that resonated strongly with younger generations. Approximately two years ago, after a serious fall, her health deteriorated. She lost the ability to swim and engage in physical activity, which significantly changed her quality of life. Eventually, her life was shortened by unforeseen kidney complications and other health issues. Anna will always be remembered by her loved ones and friends for her integrity, reliability, fortitude, perseverance, and resilience in facing life's challenges. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 3:00 pm in the Kagan-Rudy Chapel at Emanu El Memorial Park, 8341 Bissonnet Street, Houston, Texas 77074. May Anna rest peacefully, free from pain and hardship, remembered by many as a unique and deeply decent human being that lived an interesting and productive life.

Anna Tsimelzon

May 11, 1943 - March 12, 2026