Jula Zegarac's Obituary
Jula Zegarac, age 96 finally reunited with her deeply loved late husband, Ilija, cherished mother of Mary Ann Skaljac (Daniel), beloved grandmother of Gregory Skaljac (Stella) and Melissa Zetts (Sean), great grandmother Baba of Eli, Luke, Steven, Alexa and Danielle, sister of deceased Mican, Anka, Bozidar, and Milica.
Jula was born in 1924 in Skare, Yugoslavija to Sava and Kata Pavicic. She was the fourth of five children. Due to WWII, she fled her home and country at the age of 20. She lived for years in displaced persons refugee camps in Italy and Germany. While in the camp in Germany, she married Ilija Zegarac in 1948, and gave birth there to their daughter Mary Ann in 1949. With the sponsorship help of her uncle in the US, she and her family immigrated in 1951 to the US with but two suitcases in hand following an arduous 13 day trans-Atlantic ship journey to NY. Eventually, Jula and her family settled in Cleveland, and in 1956 they became proud naturalized citizens of the US. Long hours of hard work, sacrifice and perseverance enabled Jula to achieve the American dream of home ownership, business success and a loving extended family. She found strength and support from the American people, her family and the Serbian Orthodox church community, where she was one of the oldest and longest living members of the Circle of Serbian Sisters Svetka Petka at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, OH. After experiencing the heartaches and horrors of war, Jula yearned for a better life, and found it in America. Jula will be remembered fondly by her family and friends for her tender heart, generous spirit, honesty and love of all people. Baba Jula’s sarmas, palachinkas, and butter cookies were the best! We will miss you Baba and your memory will be eternal.
Special thanks to neighbors Dr. Felix and Pilar, and Protinicas Lindsey and Rosanda for their caregiving support. Contributions in Jula’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Hospice of the Western Reserve. Interment St. Theodosius Cemetery.
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