95-Year-Old Holocaust and Chernobyl Survivor Killed Crossing NYC Street

In a tragic turn of events, Mayya Gil, a 95-year-old Holocaust survivor who also endured the horrors of Chernobyl and the COVID-19 pandemic, was fatally struck by a vehicle in Brooklyn last week.

Gil was crossing Cropsey Avenue in Bensonhurst near 24th Avenue around 12:40 p.m. Thursday when a cargo van made a left turn and hit her and her home health aide, according to the NYPD. While her aide was hospitalized in stable condition, Gil succumbed to her injuries.

The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, has not been arrested or charged.

A Journey of Survival

Mayya Gil’s remarkable life began in Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine, where she was born in 1929. At just 12 years old, she fled to Kyiv with her mother and brother to escape the Nazi invasion. “We packed what we could carry and left everything else behind,” Gil recounted in a 2020 interview with The New York Times.

In Kyiv, she met her husband, Vilyam, and built a life under Soviet rule, eventually raising twin daughters. But fate tested her again in 1986 when the Chernobyl nuclear disaster devastated Ukraine. Seeking safety and a brighter future, her daughter Larisa moved to New York City. The rest of the family joined six years later, settling in Bensonhurst.

A Family Anchored in Faith and Community

Gil’s family found a warm home in Brooklyn, where their Jewish heritage played a central role in their lives. She became an active member of the local Jewish Community Center, where her generosity and spirit left a lasting impression.

“She was more than a survivor. She was a fighter,” said her daughter, Irina Lizunova. “Through every hardship, she never lost hope. She lived for her family and her faith.”

Gil’s granddaughter, Natasha Famighetti, described her as “the kindest, most generous person I’ve ever met. She found joy in simply being surrounded by her family.”

Losses and Strength

Tragedy was no stranger to Gil’s life. Her daughter Larisa, who led the family’s migration to the U.S., died in 2013 after battling pancreatic cancer. Gil and her family struggled to afford a burial plot, prompting assistance from the New York Times’ “Neediest Cases Fund.”

In 2020, her husband Vilyam succumbed to COVID-19 during the pandemic’s height. Despite these heartbreaking losses, Gil’s resolve never wavered.

“She was a beacon of strength,” said a neighbor from her Bensonhurst building. “Even in her 90s, she had a presence that inspired everyone around her.”

A Tragic End

Mayya Gil’s passing has left the Bensonhurst community mourning the loss of a beloved elder. The NYPD continues to investigate the incident, though no charges have been filed against the driver.

Her family hopes her story will be remembered for the resilience, love, and faith that defined her life.

“She survived what most people couldn’t even imagine,” Lizunova said. “Her life was a testament to courage and grace.”

The funeral services will be held this week, with family and friends gathering to honor a life well-lived and deeply cherished.