Maria Krzhizhevskaya, known in Sakhalin as the "Sakhalin Advocate," was recognized by almost all the island's residents in the late 19th century. A young nurse dedicated to serving people, she was respected by both high-ranking officials and ordinary convicts. She arrived in Sakhalin at the age of 30 after graduating from the school at the Petersburg Kalinin Hospital, receiving a midwifery diploma. However, due to a lack of specialists, Maria took on duties not only in her specialty but also worked as a pharmacist and paramedic, as well as assisting local scientists. Thanks to her involvement, the Rykov Meteorological Station was established in the Kirovskoye settlement. In his memoirs "Eight Years in Sakhalin," convict Yuvachev wrote about her as a woman with a kind heart who donated all her earnings to the poor exiles. He noted that her life was dedicated to serving others.

Legends of Maria's selflessness and altruism circulated on the island. Once, she learned that a remote settlement needed help for expectant mothers. At that time, it was the spring thaw, and the roads were nearly impassable. Maria decided to assist with childbirth directly in the settlement, overcoming snowdrifts and marshy areas, sometimes wading through rivers. She did not consider such efforts a feat and never charged for her help. Yuvachev also mentioned her modest living conditions: in her small apartment, there was simple unpainted furniture, and her food was worse than that of the convicts.

Unfortunately, working under such conditions negatively affected her health. In 1892, Maria fell ill with tuberculosis. The military doctor of the Tymovskaya team predicted her imminent death, but she continued to work with the same energy despite her illness. In June, she passed away, and all the residents of the Rykovskoye village gathered for her funeral. Anton Chekhov mentioned Maria in his work "The Island of Sakhalin," highlighting her significance as a legendary figure.