Nana LeGrand Vashakidze

In Loving Memory of Nana LeGrand Vashakidze (November 14, 1950 – December 1, 2023) Tbilisi, Georgia - Easton, Maryland, USA Nana LeGrand Vashakidze, a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, musician, poet, and architect, peacefully passed away on December 1, 2023, in Easton, Maryland. Born on November 14, 1950, in Tbilisi, Georgia, she left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Nana was the beloved daughter of Anton LeGrand, the esteemed head of the Chemistry Department at the Georgian Technical University, and Makvala Kipshidze, a writer, translator, and English language professor. From her father, she inherited a soft and gentle disposition, while her charisma and passion for literature, art, and music came from her mother. Her family roots were deeply entwined with cultural and literary significance. Nana's maternal great-grandfather, Grigol Kipshidze, was a renowned publisher and editor-in-chief of the first Georgian newspaper, Iveria. Her grandfather, playwright Giorgi Kipshidze (Pronispireli), and grandmother, actress Sofia Kipshidze (Ankara), were pioneers in the first Georgian silent film, Qristine (1916). A multi-talented individual, Nana pursued her passion for the arts, earning a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and later a degree in English Language and Literature. Her architectural career flourished, but her true joy lay in her second career as a part-time English language lecturer, allowing her to nurture her creative talents as a musician and poet. Nana's artistic soul found expression in both music and poetry. She was a skilled classical pianist and a self-taught guitarist with a beautiful singing voice. Although she declined an offer to join what eventually became the famous Tsisperi Trio acoustic band, her humility and talent remained unmatched. In 1993, Nana embarked on a new chapter, moving to the US with her family and settling in New Jersey. While working as a Georgian and Russian language interpreter, Nana continued to exercise her creative talent by writing children’s songs and poems, some of which were published in 1997. In 2017, Nana and her late husband, Shota, moved to Easton to be closer to their daughter. Nana leaves behind cherished memories for her children, Nia and Ivan, along with their spouses Mark and Stephanie, and her three grandchildren, Fiona, Emerson, and Nico. Beyond her immediate family, she will be fondly remembered by her lifelong circle of girlfriends in Georgia. Additionally, she will be missed by her extended family, including Badri, Keti, Achi, and Sandro Vashakidze, as well as George and Thea Kuchukhidze, with whom she shared a particularly close bond. Nana's zest for life, unconditional love, and ability to find beauty in everything endeared her to all. Nana's legacy lives on in the hearts of those she touched, and her creative spirit will forever resonate in the music and poetry she shared with the world. A family-only funeral will be followed by a celebration of her life and a presentation of her poetry book in Georgia in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Talbot Hospice in Easton, MD.

Nana LeGrand Vashakidze

November 14, 1950 - December 1, 2023