Mileva "Millie" Nikcevic

Our dearly beloved matriarch, Mileva Nikcevic, 91, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2025 in Sacramento, California. Mileva was born the middle of five children to Savo and Joka Kustudic in Glibavac, Niksic, Montenegro (former Yugoslavia) on February 18, 1934. She is survived by her twin daughters Mira Tonis and Mirjana O’Neil (Jeff), granddaughter Milena Welty (Kory), great grandson Eli Welty and numerous relatives, friends and Kumovi. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Obren, brother, Jovan and sisters, Olga, Draga and Vanja.

Mileva’s father was a Very Reverend Serbian Orthodox priest in Niksic and her mother was a homemaker and a descendant of The Montenegrin Petrovic Njegos Dynasty. Growing up, Mileva’s younger years were unstable as World War II was in full force. She often recalled sharing what little food they had and how her family hid in holes they had dug in the ground to hide from the Nazis. Her father was brutally killed for being a priest.

Mileva immigrated to the United States in 1955. She lived with relatives in Los Angeles, took English classes and eventually obtained a job in the jewelry department at The May Company. Mileva (affectionately known as “Millie” to many of her American friends) was warm, friendly and professional, and quickly gained the admiration from her peers and supervisors. Those characteristics earned her a promotion to buyer in the jewelry department. Mileva had a tremendously strong work ethic and was driven by keeping her word, treating everyone with respect and honesty.

In Los Angeles, Mileva was introduced to Obren Nikcevic, originally from Klicevo in Niksic, Montenegro. They married in a small Serbian Orthodox ceremony in Los Angeles in 1962. Later that year, they welcomed fraternal twin daughters, Mira and Mirjana. They lived in Jackson, Loomis, and Folsom before settling in Sacramento. They saved and purchased a small 1941 home in the East Sacramento neighborhood for $24,000. Obren was a civil engineer and worked on many projects that included Highway 80 and the Sacramento Metro Airport. Mileva was a wife, mother and homemaker.

Mileva was a master at anything she set out to do. The house was always spotless. She was a self taught seamstress and sewed almost all the family's clothing. She made all the family’s meals from scratch. She was famous for her Moonie cookies (moon shaped shortbread) and Priganice (a Montenegrin donut). She was elegant and always put together, making everything seem so effortless.

Mileva and Obren were parishioners of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Jackson, California, the first Serbian Church in North America built in 1894. The family drove 60 minutes every Sunday to attend church services. They were very active in the parish, and not only supported their parish monetarily but volunteered countless hours. Mira and Mirjana sang in the church choir. Mileva, Obren and the girls created many lifelong friendships in Jackson. Mileva was happiest surrounded by her Serbian friends, Kumovi and family.

When Mileva and Obren first moved to Sacramento, at church, they met David and Loretta Jovovich of Sacramento. After knowing each other a few years, Obren and Mileva were asked to be Kumovi to David and Loretta’s youngest daughter, Lori (Kumovi refers to a spiritual relationship between godparents and a godchild forged during baptism). This was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between the two families. Mileva and David were the ultimate jokesters and storytellers. Holidays were always spent together feasting on delicious food, having fun, making each other laugh and creating memories. This friendship carries on to this day with the second generation of Kumovi.

Mileva lost the love of her life, Obren, in September 1972. Her world was once again uncertain. With only a high school education, she got a part-time job as a phone solicitor for local charities. Every evening after dinner, she pulled out the Pacific Bell telephone book and starting at the beginning of the alphabet, called residents asking for donated clothes and household items. She was paid 10 cents for anyone agreeing to donate. Mileva managed to feed her children with social security payments and a part time job. Once her daughters were in high school and old enough to be home alone, Mileva wanted more and began searching for work. She secured a job at Sacramento Metro Airport as a security checkpoint employee. Mileva was social, friendly and loved working at the airport. She met so many wonderful people: senators, lobbyists, Gov. Deukmejian, Reggie Theus (Sac Kings), Red Skelton, Bob Hope, Dudley Moore, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Joe Montana. She humorously once said to Joe, “Listen Joe, you’re going to live a lot longer if you smile.” He did not reply, he just grinned. Over time, Mileva’s determination, work ethic and perseverance earned her a promotion as the Security Checkpoint Supervisor. However, she still longed for a better job. Through her countless encounters at the airport, she met someone who worked at the State Capitol. A few years later, through that connection, she left her post at the airport and was hired as an X-ray technician with the California Legislature at the State Capitol in Sacramento, California. Mileva retired from the State of California in 1998.

Mileva’s family was her top priority. She wanted her daughters to meet their family in Montenegro. She still had a brother and 3 sisters (and their families) who lived in the same village in Niksic. In the summer of 1974, after not seeing her siblings since 1955, she took Mira and Mirjana to meet their family. It was a wonderful 6 week vacation. Mileva reconnected with her siblings and Obren’s family, and the twins got to meet their large family. Over the years, Mileva traveled to Montenegro several times. She loved her family ferociously.

Mileva was a master at stretching a dollar. She was always frugal and very wise with her money. She never spent more than she had. She didn’t believe in carrying a credit card balance and on the rare occasions she would use a credit card (i.e. wedding gift), she immediately paid it off the following month. From Mileva’s paychecks, she always put several dollars in savings first. She taught her daughters that same value.

MIleva was kind and compassionate. She always had a soft spot for those less fortunate. Throughout her entire life, she donated to various charities including St. Sava Church, St. Sava Mission Foundation, Purple Heart Veterans, American Cancer Society and Shriners Children’s Hospital. She was always appreciative of what she had and it was important for her to give back.

Mileva was very thoughtful and was always thinking of others. She often made her famous Priganice for her neighbors and excitedly delivered them to their doorstep. She was the unofficial ambassador of 42nd Street where she took care of people’s houses, pets and plants while they were on vacation. She fostered her relationships and made a point of asking how you were doing and staying connected. She had an uncanny ability to remember everyone’s phone numbers and their birthday. Often, she would stay up until midnight to make sure she was the first one to call you on your birthday. She wanted you to know you were loved. Countless individuals have shared how their next birthday will not be the same without her phone call.

Mileva had zest, was funny and quite a character. She loved to play jokes and make people laugh. She was an excellent cook. She shared her knowledge of cooking with her daughters at a very young age. It was important to her that they felt included in the family’s chores but more importantly, capable and empowered.

In 1993, Mira’s daughter and Mileva’s first granddaughter, Milena Tonis, was born on Mileva’s birthday, February 18. Mileva was enamored by this most precious gift. Mileva was one of Milena’s biggest cheerleaders, attending every soccer game and music performance. They shared a lot of the same characteristics and sense of humor. Mileva often referred to her and Milena as “Two peas in a pot” (not a typo).

Mirjana & Jeff’s granddaughter, Darcy Jean O’Neil loved to visit “Prababa” (Great grandmother). Mileva was excited when Darcy came to visit. Darcy fed her popcorn, helped her put on her socks and shoes, and would even wheel her to dinner in the dining hall. Darcy added laughter and was a ray of sunshine for Mileva. Mileva often called her “Maca” (kitten). They had a special relationship.

In July 2024, Mileva was blessed to become a great grandmother to Eli Daniel Welty, son of Milena and Kory Welty, born in Burbank, CA. Mileva could no longer travel but couldn’t wait to meet little Eli. In early 2025, Kory, Milena and baby Eli made the drive to Sacramento to spend Milena and Mileva’s birthday together, and for Mileva to meet Eli. Mileva counted the days until their arrival. That three day weekend was such a blessing to our entire family. Mileva got to hold Eli, spend time sharing memories and stories, share birthday cake and just had an all around wonderful weekend. Mileva got a big smile on her face whenever anyone mentioned “Eli” and he was now clearly one of her greatest joys.

Mileva spent her last few years residing at Mercy McMahon Terrace in Sacramento where she received such loving and wonderful care. She was happy and always talked about the staff and of the delicious food in the dining hall. She and the staff quickly became friends. She joked with them, they laughed together and became family. Our family owes a tremendous amount of heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the wonderful staff at MMT. We know that not only was Mileva cared for, but clearly, she was loved.

A prayer service (Pomen) will take place on Monday, April 21, 2025 at 6PM at Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home, 5401 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95819. The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 1PM at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 724 North Main Street, Jackson, CA 95642. A graveside service will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations are kindly asked to be made in Mileva’s memory to Mercy McMahon Terrace, 3865 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95816, St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 724 N. Main Street, Jackson, CA. 95642 or St. Sava Mission Foundation, PO Box 965, Jackson, CA 95642.