WHITE STONE—The light in our lives dimmed on February 12, 2018, when we lost Alla Rose Kulagina Okun. Her radiant smile, her gentle presence, her quiet kindness made the world more right, more good, more brilliant and more whole.
Alla Rose was born on February 14, 1985, along with her twin sister Lena June, to Svetlana Kulagina in Vinnica, Ukraine. After the death of their mother, Alla and Lena came into the loving embrace of their adoptive parents Scott and Sally Neylan Okun in West Newbury, Mass. Alla and her family moved to Cape Cod in 1998 where she lived and attended school until moving to White Stone with her family in 2016.
Alla, an accomplished horsewoman, was a friend to all creatures large and small especially her horses Desiree, Skip and Champ and her beloved cats, Clare and Ziggy. She enjoyed the exquisite beauty of the setting sun, the thrill of sailing Buzzards Bay with her dad and the peaceful respite of kayaking around Bassetts Island on Cape Cod and more recently on Dymer Creek and Fleets Bay in the Northern Neck. Her artistic flair was seen in her collages, weavings and knitting. By far the greatest joy in Alla’s life was enjoying time with her niece and nephews. She was happiest playing tickle monster, splashing around in the pool, sliding and swinging with them at the park and capturing precious moments in photos she proudly displayed all over her home.
Alla Rose, treasured by her family, was the daughter of Scott and Sally Neylan Okun; the twin sister of Lena Okun Rafael; and sister-in-law of Allan Rafael; and beloved aunt to Nathan, Lucas and Alana Rafael.
In a life too short Alla touched many lives and will be missed by all who knew her. Family and friends will gather at 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, at the Temple Tikvah, 3315 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park, N.Y., for a service in her honor.
A celebration of Alla’s life is planned for April at the Okun home in White Stone. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Alla’s name to the Animal Welfare League 75 North Main Street, Kilmarnock, VA 22482; or the MSPCA Animal Shelter 1577 Falmouth Road, Centerville, MA 02632.
We planted a rose and the world spun just a bit faster, the air smelled a little sweeter, and life was brighter. We miss you desperately our dear sweet Alla Rose…
