Zora Dawn Penovich

For the past 7 years, Zora has been living with her husband of nearly 69 years, Robert Penovich, at the Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina. Prior to that they lived in Brecksville, Massillon, and Canton, Ohio, Beaver, Pa., and South Windsor, CT.

Zora was daughter, wife, sister, mother, friend and beautiful Soul. Zora was born on January 10, 1924 in Cleveland to parents Smilija Alexsic Zegarac and Dane Zegarac, who immigrated from Serbia to America in the early 1900’s. Zora was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Helen Zegarac Feiten; her brother, George Zegarac; and infant daughter, Donna.

She is survived by her husband, Robert; daughters, Patricia Penovich-Moriarty of St. Paul, MN, Kathy Kirk of San Diego and Medina, and Nancy Buxser of Indianapolis, IN; 6 grandchildren: Brendan Moriarty, Meaghan Moriarty, Juddson Kirk, Jarrod Kirk, Nathan Buxser and Aaron Buxser; and one great-grandson, Brody Kirk.

Zora was a 1942 graduate of Collinwood High School in Cleveland and growing up a member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Cleveland; later she was a member of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Canton for over 50 years. She was an honorary volunteer at the Massillon Community Hospital. During the war, she actively supported several soldiers serving overseas by writing letters, but most significant was her support of Bob, a B-17 pilot, as the emotional and spiritual Wind Beneath His Wings.

A stay-at-home mother, Zora devoted herself first and foremost to her family. For this and for her unconditional love and service, she is so honored and cherished.

Throughout the years she was cookie chairman for the Girl Scouts; a member of The Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #537 in Brecksville; she supported her girls in Rainbow. She followed her husband in several transfers as his work required, each time re-creating a new home of beauty, serenity and love. Zora dabbled at golf, was an excellent seamstress, and a creative cook. She loved opera and dancing. Zora infused everything she did with her loving heart, creating a foundation of love and acceptance from which her family could and did thrive and flourish.

On Friday August 1, visiting hours will be at Karlo-Libby Funeral Home, 5000 Everhard Rd. Canton between 4:00 and 6:30 PM. Pomen at 6:30 PM.

On Saturday August 2 at St George Serbian Orthodox Church, 1 hour viewing at 10:00 AM, services at 11:00 AM, 4667 Applegrove St NW, North Canton, Ohio 44720 with Father Aleksa Pavichevich.

A memory luncheon will be held in the Church Hall immediately following the service. Burial will follow at St. Theodosius Orthodox Cemetery, 8200 Biddulph Rd, Cleveland, OH 44144.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Zora’s name to St. George Serbian Orthodox Church are appreciated.