Emilija Velickovic

On Friday, September 3, 2010, Emilija passed away at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital. She was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia in 1920. Beloved wife of the late Gruja Velickovic, loving and devoted mother of Branislava Shekhdar (Robert) from Stamford, CN, and son George (Susan) from Tecumseh. “Baki” will be sadly missed by her four grandchildren Milan Velickovic, Alexandar (Elysium) Shekhdar from Washington D.C., Branka (Michael) Ventrella, and Tanya (Miroslav) Pavlovic from Parma, OH. “Baki” cherished her great-grandchildren Donovan & Grayson (Shekhdar) and Gianni & Georgia (Ventrella). Emilija moved with her parents from Sarajevo to Slovenia then to France, ending in Belgrade, Serbia, where she met her husband Gruja. During WWII Emilija spent months in the concentration camp “Banjica”. After WWII, Emilija held on to her patriotic stance and religious views, while raising her family under the Socialist Regime in the former Yugoslavia. This was not easy, but Emilija was a survivor. After her daughter moved to the US, Emilija suffered the loss of her husband Gruja. She then joined her son’s family in Canada in 1973. Emilija established many good friendships in Canada and joined The Serbian Orthodox Church “Grachanica” Parish in Windsor. She was an active member of the Circle of Serbian Sisters, Serbian Heritage Women’s Society, Serbian Museum, and Retirees Club of “Grachanica”. She held various posts and volunteered many hours supporting numerous charitable events sponsored by the Church. The Velickovic and Shekhdar families would like to extend their appreciation to the doctors and staff at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital for their support during Emilija’s many visits, especially for their compassion during her last days. The kindness of the staff at the La Chaumiere Retirement Home is also appreciated by the family.Visitation will be held at Anderson Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 895 Ouellette Ave.(519) 254-3223 on Sunday from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Monday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm with prayer service at 7:30 pm, by V.Rev. Miroljub Todorovic. Family & friends are asked to gather at the Serbian Orthodox Church “Grachanica” 1960 Meldrum Rd. on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 from 10:30 a.m.until the Funeral Service at 11:00 am., officiated by the V.Rev. M. Todorovic assisted by the V.Rev. Bozo Bakajlic from Belgrade, Serbia. Emilija will be laid to rest at Windsor Memorial Gardens Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Serbian Orthodox Church “Grachanica” – Kosovo Children's Fund or Church Choir.