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Protinica Vuckovich Obituary
SOUTH BEND - Our beloved Protinica Ljubica Vuckovich passed away in her home in the care of her loving family on Monday, May 18, 2009. She was born on June 6, 1914, in the former Yugoslavia. On November 21, 1935, Ljubica married the late Very Reverend George Vuckovich, who was the parish priest of the Saints Peter and Paul Serbian Orthodox Church in South Bend from 1955 until his passing on August 28, 1978. As the wife of a priest, Ljubica carried the honored prefix to her name, "Protinica." During World War II, Protinica Ljubica and three of her four children were separated from their husband and father. In 1950, with the help of friends, Ljubica and her children emigrated to the United States and were united as a family. As the wife of a parish priest, Protinica Ljubica actively participated in all events that took place in the life of the Saints Peter and Paul Serbian Orthodox Church where she remained a member. Her family and friends were always blessed by her hospitality at the parish home. Parishioners were welcomed any time with an immediate cup of coffee and whatever pastry she had just made. As a matriarch in our parish, she was given well-deserved respect by the entire parish, whom she loved dearly. She leaves to celebrate many years of beautiful memories her children, Maria (the late Mike) Knezevich, Vera Vuckovich, Robert "Bozo" Vuckovich and Michael "Bato" Vuckovich, along with grandchildren who affectionately called her "Baba," Bianca (Jason) Koski, Briana "Seja" and Mileva "Kosa" Vuckovich, and their mother, Julie (Medich) Vuckovich. She was also anxiously awaiting the birth of her great-grandson. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 21st, in Saints Peter and Paul Serbian Orthodox Church, 59250 Keria Trail in South Bend. Visitation will be today, May 20th, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Zahoran Funeral Home, 1826 South Kemble in South Bend, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Friends may also call one hour prior to services in the church on Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Saints Peter and Paul Serbian Orthodox Church or to the Aleksa Shantich Church Choir. MemoryEternal/Vecnaja Pamjat. To leave the family an online condolence or to share memories with the family, please visit our website www.zahoran.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Protinica Vuckovich
Marija Trbojevic
June 4, 2009
Dear Family,
I'm deeply saddened to hear of your mother's passing. +Protinica was such a warm and loving person, rare to find these days. She always embraced me and my dear +Vlado whenever she saw us. We would spend hours laughing our hearts out and exchanging wonderful conversations. We have lost a true treasure. May her memory be eternal!
John & Violet Kovacevic
June 4, 2009
Dear Family,
Our heartfelt condolences to all of you on the passing of your mother and very dear friend of ours. +Protinica will always be remembered by our family as a joyful, bubbly, and hilariously funny woman who we shared many good times with and loved being around whenever we visited South Bend or she came to Lansing and Chicago. We will always hold extremely fond memories of her as well as dear +Proto. Memory Eternal!
Liz Hall
May 22, 2009
Seja,
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with your family.
Tyrone M. Watford Riley High School Class of 1969
May 22, 2009
Dear Bato:
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
Helen Nakarda
May 21, 2009
Dear Family.
Please acept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your Mother. She was a remarkable woman. Protenica and Proto came throuth for me during a personal crisis in my family and I will never forget their love and caring at a time when it was needed most. I will never forget them.
May 21, 2009
Maria, Bozo, Vera and Bato we send our deepest sympathies. She was a beautiful lady and we will never forget her. Take care.
Ken and Zorka DeFreeuw, Florida
Leona Browning
May 21, 2009
Vera and family,
With deepest sympathy.
Leona Edison Browning
Riley H.S. Class of /59
Milorad & Tijana Samardzija
May 20, 2009
We wish extend our deepest sympathies to the Family. Your Mom was the most pleasant person we have had the pleasure of knowing. We will miss her smile but never forget her soul. Vjecnaja Pamjat
Nada Polovina Ilich
May 20, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all - Maria, Bozo, Vera and Bato and the three beautiful granddaughters - Jugie- Kumovi - friends - Protinica's passing is the end of a remarkable era in the South Bend community of Serbs -- all of our lives were made better for having Protinica and Proto Djuro in them. They are now together again.
Martha Ostoich Teshich
May 20, 2009
Dear Marija, Vera, Bozo, Bato and family and the entire South Bend parish,
What a jewel the entire Serbian Orthodox Community has lost with the passing of dear +Protinica. Her work and dedication to the church along with her beloved +Proto Djuro were typical of the priests and popadijas that fill my childhood memories. The love and dedication that they gave to their parishoners and Serbs throughout the country will never be forgotten. With +Protinica's death, we have lost another link to the glory days of our church here on this continent. Please know that you have my most sincere and heartfelt sympathies. We all owe her our thanks and respect for a life lived in service to others.
Sincerely,
Martha Ostoich Teshich
Judy (Balaban) Nelson
May 20, 2009
Vera, Maria, Bozo, Bato & Families,
Your beloved mother touched all of our lives and she will forever be in our hearts.
Vjecna Ja Pamjat, Protinica.
With deepest sympathy and much love.
May 20, 2009
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to +Protinica's family. She and the late Proto will always be remembered fondly by the Windsor Serbs. May Protinicia's memory be eternal. With love from Bogdan and Milka Chuk.
Paul Bielich
May 20, 2009
Sincerely sharing in your sorrow and sending most heartfelt sympathy. +Protinica Ljubica was a jewel of a great price and I shall always cherish my wonderful memories of her. Vjecnaja Pamjat
Paul Bielich, SSF Executive Secretary Emeritus, Detroit, MI
Esther Matteson
May 20, 2009
I don't know your Protinica Ljubica at all, but I loved reading her obituary. What a wonderful life! I am the wife of a retired Protestant pastor; and, additionally, in 2007, I visited Osijek, Croatia, in the former Yugoslavia, where I did volunteer work in the library of a theological seminary...and I loved it there. I was blessed just reading about your mother's life.
May 20, 2009
Dear Maria, Vera, Bozo, Bato and families:
Please accept our sympathies on the loss of your Mother. She was a beautiful person, who was loved by all that knew her. She was always the first person anyone sought out when visiting South Bend because she was always there to welcome everyone with her warm smile and
wonderful laugh. She was also 3 for 3 in her predictions on my children!
We know that she is now at peace and reunited with your Father. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Love,
Joanie and Bob Jakovich
Debby (Medich) Herczeg
May 20, 2009
She will absolutely be missed! She always had that magnificent presence and joy with her. What a wonderful life she has had and greatness she brought to all. I will never forget her and love her. Peace and God Bless!
Ljubi Hayden
May 20, 2009
Dear Vera,Maria,Bozo,Bato and families:
Please accept our deepest sympathies on the loss of your precious mother, +Protonica. I recall so vividly her graciousness whenever we were in South Bend and her friendliness and smiling face...always! She was my "go to" in predicting my soon-to-be-born sons and was right on, every time!I have many good memories of time spent in South Bend and she is a part of those memories. We had hoped to be able to be there
to personally pay our respects,but unfortunately, will not be able. May ALL of your sweet, lovely memories of her help to sustain you. She lived a full, rich life with her family and now, I am sure, Pop Djuro is welcoming her with open arms.
Love to you all,
Ljubi and Bato Hayden
donna may
May 20, 2009
I wanted to extend my deepest sympathy to you all in the loss of your mom. I was remembering when we were little at the church and how she never seemed to forget any of us. Always had that big smile on her face. She will be deeply missed by all!
Donna (Medich) May
May 20, 2009
So sorry for your loss. She was one of the most beautiful women we ever knew. Please except our sympathy. Mildred Milovich, Karen (Milovich) Kiska and Sons and their families.
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