Tatiana de Branges de Bourcia

Tatiana Jakimow de Branges de Bourcia passed away on January 17, 2024, at Franciscan Health center in Crawfordsville, Indiana. She was 88.

Tatiana emigrated to America in December of 1980 to become the wife of Mathematics Professor Louis de Branges de Bourcia of Purdue University fame.

Tatiana lived in Indiana for over 43 years. She loved her house and loved to travel abroad. Unfortunately, she was hospitalized after the recent death of her only son Konstantin “Kostia” Jakimow which occurred on December 7, 2023. Kostia as he was known to his friends and family lost his battle with depression and bipolar disorder. The severe shock was too much for Tatiana’s constitution to handle and it brought on bleeding in the brain. Anybody considering suicide should call 988 the Suicide Prevention line available 24/7.

Tatiana loved to travel the globe with her husband Louis. She truly believed in his ability to solve unsolvable math problems that mathematicians have been working on for centuries. She knew multiple languages and was able to translate complex mathematical articles from German and Russian to easily understandable English. Her talents as a home chef were obvious with the German inspired home cooking she made for her family. She would shop in local markets for the finest ingredients, like French cheese and Dijon mustard with a glass of Resiling wine on “ceremonial” Fridays. Ground beef, parboiled rice, cherry tomatoes were frequently whipped up into a delightful hot casserole dish with tossed butter lettuce salad seasoned with just the right amount of extra virgin olive oil and a dash of salt to complete the delicious masterpiece!

A German Frau before living in West Lafayette for over 4 decades, she met her husband on a blind date set up by Nora Kuppers, Louis’s youngest sister who lives in Manheim Germany near Heidelberg. No one expected him to propose marriage to Tatiana but the rest is part of the history books now. Louis’s sister Nora and her husband Rolf attended the ceremony that took place at Heidelberg Castle, as well as Louis’ other younger sister, Elise.

Tatiana came from a grand and accomplished notable German, Russian and Swiss family famous for endeavors in art, classical music, and sculpture. Tatiana was an accomplished painter herself and she had exhibitions in art museums in the Lafayette area. In addition, Tatiana had a sister and brother.

Tatiana loved her life in Indiana with her husband and son Kostia. She was a beloved member of the West Lafayette Indiana community as was her musician son. Tatiana was a blue-eyed blond lady with a sturdy stature, but her son was dark and handsome like the character Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Louis used to comment on her beauty and grace and unique charm.  Tatiana was one of a kind and she will be missed by friends and family, but especially by her husband Louis.