Desanka T. Mamula

Desanka Mamula Obituary

Desanka T. Mamula, nee Tarailo, 87, of Jefferson Hills, PA, passed away on October 9, 2006. Born and raised in Chicago, IL to the late Vladislava and Ilija Tarailo; dear sister of the late Milan Tarailo. One of the first female graduates of the DePaul School of Law, Desanka was the first Serbian American woman to become an attorney. She moved to Clairton, PA to marry the late John Mamula. Survived by loving sons, William and Donald (Linda) Mamula; beloved aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt and loving kuma to many. Supporter of many causes. Visitation will be on October 16, 2006 from 2 to 9 p.m. at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pleasant Hills. Pomen at 8 p.m. Funeral on October 17 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Pittsburgh at 11 a.m. Please meet at church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to our Serbian Orthodox Churches, the Lord Byron Foundation for Balkan Studies, the Hilandard Research Library at the Ohio State University, S.N.F. Scholarship Fund or a charity of one's choice in Desanka's memory.

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Published by Chicago Tribune on Oct. 15, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Desanka Mamula

11 Entries

Top Right Helen Tasovac-Bottom right Nane Tarailo-with love The Unkovichs'

April 26, 2007

Milena Vega

October 17, 2006

Dear Don:
My sincerest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your beloved Mama Desanka. Vecnaja pamjat. Your friend from Santa Monica, Milena Pajic Vega

Dorothy (Mrvos) Shumkaroff

October 17, 2006

To Donald & Billy, It was an honor & a pleasure to know such a fine lady. May you find peace & comfort @ this difficult time.

Kristina Gacesa

October 16, 2006

Dear Donald and Bill,
It was great sadness that I heard the news of the passing of dear Teta Desanka. I hold many great childhood memories of her and your late father visiting our family home. I actually remember sitting in the family room and watching some sort of game with your father and your mom calling him over to tell a story. I could listen to her stories all day long. I still use the djezva and Clairton Cookbook she gave me at my bridal shower. She was a prominent figure in my life. Vjecna ja pamjat!
Our Condolences,
Kristina (Malich), Nk, Jelena and Marko Gacesa

John and Juka Martich

October 16, 2006

Donald and Bill,
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your wonderful mother. She has left a positive and everlasting legacy in the Serbian-American community. Vjecna ja pamjat! Memory eternal!

Pete & Vonnie Raketic

October 16, 2006

Our deepest sympathies to the Mamula Family.

Mim Bizic and family

October 15, 2006

Desanka was a such a learned person, with a heart of gold, always sharing her knowledge and quick to lend a hand to anyone. Like the Bible implores us, she was a happy, cheerful giver, eager to share whatever she had with those less fortunate.

I have the fondest memories of seeing her at banquets being acknowledged for her generous donations to all causes Serbian, especially Vracar Cathedral in Belgrade, the Relief Fund for the Serbian refugees of the war, and also for the damaged and bombed out churches/monuments in Kosovo.

I feel extra special knowing that my Dad Milan Karlo helped to guide the romance and subsequent wedding of Attorney John Mamula to the demure, scholarly Desanka Tarailo, capturing/winning a wonderful prize from Chicago for our Greater Pittsburgh area. Desanka was a true partner in every sense of the word, not only for being a loving wife, a wonderful mother watching the children at home, but also at the same time, working in husband John's office as well for whatever he needed accomplished.

Desanka never stopped learning. She pondered the future while living in the present but always keeping a watchful eye on the past. Her collection of old postcards and letters from her parents and grandparents are priceless history lessons for our Serbian community.

Desanka deserves a hand for being the first Serbian woman attorney in America, and the first to volunteer her services, prayers and good wishes when needed.

I will be always be eternally grateful because she helped purchase a bench in memory of my late husband, Gus Bizic, for St. Sava's Holy Trinity Cemetery.

Vjecanja pamjat to an exceptionally wonderful lady who will be sorely missed by all.

Charles Drobac

October 15, 2006

Bill& Donald,
We visited with Kuma Desanka one week before God took her to eternal rest. We have many beautiful memories that we spent together with Kuma Desanka. May God give her eternal rest and we are sure that there is a special place in heaven for her. Desanka was one special person that touched the hearts of many. Bill and Donald you have our deepest sympathies.
Kum Charlie and Kuma Nedra Drobac

Roberta Walsh

October 15, 2006

To Desanka's Family,
Our hearts have all been enriched by our Serbian heritage and interaction threads of life. I hold many memories of the Mamula Family at religious Holidays, weddings and special occasions at St. Mary's Serbian Orthodox Church in Clairton. All of us children playing around the church with wonderful foods downstairs and all of our parents at the heads of the tables. Please accept our most heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your, Beloved Desanka.
With deepest Sympathy,
Roberta Walsh,
Daughter of (Bozi Terzich), Bob and Rose Terrick.

Neb Milan, Carmela, and Mathew Milan Tarailo

October 14, 2006

Donald and Bill:

No bond is as great as that between a mother and her children.
The loss of "Teta Nane", someone so close is difficult to bear. We Share your grief.
May her memory always be eternal in our hearts and may God grant her Memory Eternal.
Vecnaja Pamjat - Memory Eternal.

Father Rodney Torbic

October 14, 2006

Grant rest eternal to the soul of the servant of God Desanka.

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