A Childhood Marked by War and Loss
Born in 1936 into a Jewish family in Moscow, Lidiya Kovarskaya’s earliest memories were shaped by war. At just five years old, her kindergarten days were interrupted by the bombing raids of World War II. She and her classmates were forced to hide in trenches near Moscow as the sky thundered with the roar of the Wehrmacht Air Forces.
Conditions were brutal. An outbreak of scarlet fever swept through the makeshift shelters, and Lidiya became gravely ill. After recovering, she and her mother fled to the Ural Mountains, joining other Jewish families in search of safety. There, they battled freezing temperatures, unsanitary conditions, and constant hunger. In 1942, Lidiya’s father was killed in combat. She never saw him again.
The Quiet Courage to Keep Going
When the war ended, Lidiya returned to Moscow to live with her grandparents. Her mother had remarried and moved away, and Lidiya—now an only child—faced growing up in a country still steeped in anti-Semitism. To protect herself, she changed her last name.
Despite the discrimination she faced, Lidiya carved her own path. She married, became a mother, and pursued a Ph.D. in Chemistry—an extraordinary achievement in the Soviet Union at the time, particularly for a Jewish woman. For ten years, she fought to leave Russia, submitting applications again and again. Just one year after her husband passed away from cancer, her request was finally granted. In 1988, Lidiya arrived in the United States with her daughter, her one-year-old granddaughter, and her beloved dog, Gina.
A Life Devoted to Family
Lidiya settled in Bethesda, Maryland and resumed her work as a chemist. She built a life in her new country—anchored by family, faith, and perseverance. When her daughter was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Lidiya retired and moved in to become her caregiver. Years later, her daughter passed away from the illness, and her granddaughter moved to China. Once again, Lidiya found herself alone. Then, in 2011, she suffered a massive heart attack.
A Network of Support Steps In
Lidiya reached out to the Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) and enrolled in the Holocaust Survivor Benefit program. She received 15 hours of caregiving help each week, financial assistance, medical supplies, and case management support from Sofia Presman. Meals on Wheels delivered food to her five days a week. Still, her health declined.
In 2017, Lidiya had a stroke. She spent time in the hospital and at a rehabilitation center before returning to her apartment in Bethesda. She was left with expressive and receptive aphasia, chronic pain, and weakness on one side of her body. That’s when JSSA referred her to the Community First Choice (CFC) program—funded by the Maryland Department of Health—and she met her SCI Supports Planner, Kimberly Quinn.
Compassionate Care for a Complex Journey
Kimberly worked closely with Lidiya to supplement the help she was already receiving. Together, they secured an additional 19 hours of weekly caregiving support through the CFC program, as well as a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) and in-home speech, occupational, and physical therapy.
Kimberly also coordinated equipment support—everything from a rollator and bedside rail to modified eating utensils and a toilet safety frame. Lidiya, despite her physical and speech limitations, remained incredibly organized and proactive in managing her medical appointments, doctors, and history. Kimberly helped her connect with a visiting Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) for easier access to primary care at home.
With her health challenges making it difficult to leave her apartment, Lidiya also needed modified nutrition. Kimberly advocated for her to receive pureed Meals on Wheels meals to accommodate her swallowing difficulties. The visits from delivery staff became not just nourishment—but companionship.
A Future That Feels Safe
At 83, Lidiya was selected from the registry to apply for the Community Options Waiver—a service that would allow her to transition to an Assisted Living Facility when needed, something the CFC program doesn’t cover. Kimberly is helping her through the application process, and the reassurance of knowing this option is available brings Lidiya great peace of mind.
“It’s nice to feel safe and cared for,” Lidiya says. “I may not have family nearby, but I have a team.”
That team includes her longtime caregiver Maka, who now provides 34 hours of care each week, as well as Sofia from JSSA, Kimberly from SCI, and Nurse Monitor Elaine Pompeii. Together, they make it possible for Lidiya to continue living with dignity, comfort, and security.
The Heart of What SCI Does
Lidiya’s story is one of quiet strength, lifelong perseverance, and the power of a well-coordinated support system. Her journey—from war-torn trenches in Moscow to building a new life in Maryland—reflects the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of never giving up hope.
At Service Coordination, Inc., we walk alongside people like Lidiya every day. From Medicaid waiver planning to in-home services, assisted living transitions, and long-term care guidance, SCI connects individuals and families with the resources they need to feel seen, supported, and safe.
Explore our full range of services.
Because at SCI, we believe no one should have to walk their journey alone—and that feeling safe, respected, and cared for should never be a luxury. It should be a right.