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Anca Petrescu Obituary
Petrescu, who had been in a coma after a September car accident, died in Floreasca Hospital in the Romanian capital, hospital spokesman Dr. Bogdan Oprita said. Her landmark Bucharest palace is the world's second-largest administrative building after the Pentagon. It spans 350,000 square meters (3.77 million square feet) and is perhaps the most visible legacy of Romania's late dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu. Appointed the building's chief architect in 1978, Petrescu worked at the still-unfinished palace until her accident. She told The Associated Press in an interview last year that Buckingham Palace in London and the Palace of Versailles outside Paris were her artistic inspirations for the building, not North Korean architecture as was widely reported.
Petrescu recalled Ceausescu, who was tried and executed Dec. 25, 1989, and never got to use the palace, as being obsessed with detail and constantly inspecting the site. She said that were he alive to see what had become of the palace, which even hosts weddings and balls today, he "would make the sign of the cross" — as in he'd be horrified.
After communism ended, Petrescu was criticized for her role in creating the grandiose building, on which 1 million Romanians worked round the clock. Some 9,000 homes were demolished, churches and synagogues were razed or moved, and two mountains of marble were hacked down for the 84-meter (275-foot)-high palace to be built.
But Romanians have come to appreciate the palace; its tenants include the Parliament, the Constitutional Court and the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center, which fights crime, smuggling and fraud. Ceausescu had intended for it to house the presidency along with other government units.
The late pop star Michael Jackson moonwalked in front of the palace, and former U.S. President George W. Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have made speeches there.
ALISON MUTLER, Associated Press
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
12 Entries
F M
November 5, 2013
My deepest sorrow and tears to the family of the deceased. May these words bring you hope and consolation: "...Hear the promise God has made: He will call; the dead will answer. They shall live at his command. For he has a longing for the work of his own hand..."
See John 14: 13-15, John 6: 40; 11: 11, 43; Jas. 4: 14
The Morrises
November 5, 2013
We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of Anca Petrescu. She was such a talented architect to have helped create such a grandiose structure. For this, we will be forever indebted to her. "May the Lord of peace himself give you peace constantly in every way."--2 Thessalonians 3:16. Do know that our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Dwayne Bickham
November 5, 2013
in God's care rest in peace
How you can show support
November 4, 2013
It is a sorrow to lose a loved one. I hope Anca' family to find comfort in God' words. Psalm55:22
November 4, 2013
RIP Anca, you and your family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers. Look to our Heavenly Father, and Jesus for comfort and strength during this difficult time, and always.
Tom Brown
November 4, 2013
RIP Anca, you and your family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers. Look
to our Heavenly Father, and Jesus for comfort,strength, and Peace during this difficult time, and always. I know that Anca would not have us to be sad, but to celebrate her life here on earth before this beginning of a new and ever lasting life with The Heavenly Father, and Jesus. So... let's remember her, and celebrate her for a life well lived, and a heart well loved. Tom Brown, Fairfax Minnesota, U.S.A.
November 4, 2013
I am so sorry that you have lost a dear loved one. May you draw comfort from our Heavenly Father
November 1, 2013
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to you. I do understand how hard it can be when a loved one has been taken by death. The pain, the grief, and the feelings of helplessness can seem unbearable. At such times, we need to go to God's Word for comfort.
Marian Hociung
October 31, 2013
May God rest her soul in peace!
b davis
October 31, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
October 31, 2013
My condolences to the family at this most difficult time. May God comfort you with his promises to remove death, mourning & pain. May these promises bring you hope, comfort & peace.
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