One of Byron’s most colourful characters has spread her wings and taken flight for her next adventure – Nina Milenko Marzi died on Thursday March 23, in Byron Bay.
Nina was born in Krasnodar, near the Black Sea on May 16, 1921, to a world of famine, poverty and sheer hopelessness. Russia was then in the throes of a catastrophic civil war.
When Nina was 19, she arrived in Australia via China. Nina’s father, Alexander Zhemchuzny (Dr Alexander James, 1882–1976), achieved notoriety for his system of asthma management which did not use drugs.
Nina worked with her father in his asthma clinic, and after her father’s death she continued his work .
Nina moved to Byron Bay in 2015 to be closer to her son Alex, his wife Susie, and their children Simon and Lara. She lived happily at Feros Village for the rest of her life.
The highlight of Nina’s life was the embrace of the Byron Bay community – she was allowed to express herself and be Nina.
Her amazing energy and positivity affected everyone who knew her.
Nina, and her good friend Feather, had a final dance performance at the Beach Hotel on New Year’s Day, dancing to Lisa Hunt’s band.
Nina died peacefully on March 23, surrounded by her paintings and wonderful life memories, after weeks of declining health.
Family and friends will celebrate Nina’s life in a memorial service on April 11 at the Byron Community Centre from 3pm to 4pm. Doors open at 2.40pm.
For more details contact the community centre on 6685 6807.
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