Maria "Masha" Pike

Maria “Masha” Pike was born in Tver Ostashkov Russia on February 19, 1990. She was adopted by Tom Pike and Lynne Pike in December 1996. Masha was excited to be an “American girl,” and the following year she was sworn in as an American citizen in Memphis, Tennessee.

Maria loved life, the beauty of nature, and the wonders of this earth. As a child, she enjoyed hiking and camping with her dad and walking barefoot in the grass and through the woods. She loved to sew and crochet with her mom, as well as reading books and learning from scripture. She was active in 4-H and Girl Scouts, played in recitals, competitions, and weddings and won many awards in the county fair in several categories, particularly for her exceptional artistic talent. Earning an associate degree in Horticulture at Brigham Young University in Utah, Maria often participated in gardening and landscaping projects.

Caring for her newborn daughter was Maria’s highest priority, as her partner Mitchell and her friends observed. She kept a clean home for Destinii and only dressed her in 100% cotton and other natural fibers. She encouraged others to handle her baby gently and was cautious about who held and cared for Destinii. She loved to cook and, proud of her Russian heritage, she often prepared Russian foods, including borscht and pierogi. She was particular about the foods she ate, especially while pregnant, placing high priority on fresh produce and unprocessed foods. She only wanted the best for her daughter and her partner Mitchell.

Maria’s spirit, her smile, and her laughter will be sorely missed by those who knew her well and dearly loved her.