Vukica Dragojlovic

Our Mother was born in Djurdjevo, Yugoslavia, now Serbia, on April 10, 1923. She was the youngest of five children, born to Živan & Darinka Ilijin. Mom often spoke fondly of her childhood days with her brother, Djokica, and sisters, Mica, Danka and Femka. As with many of her generation from that part of the world, Mom experienced and witnessed the horrors of World War II. She committed her life to Christ in her youth and remained faithful to Him to the very end. She married our father, Djuro Dragojlović, on April 28, 1946.

In November of that same year, Dad was taken to prison and sentenced to five years of hard labor as a result of his conviction not to bear arms. Their firstborn child, Peter, arrived shortly after Dad was taken to prison. After serving his sentence of five years, Dad was released in November of 1951. While still living in his hometown of Tenja, current Croatia, their second son, Roy (Radoslav), was born the following year. Due to mounting pressure from the Communist-led government of Yugoslavia that continued conflicting with their religious convictions, Dad and Mom moved their family to Zemun, a town outside of Belgrade, in 1953. This is where three more sons were born to them: Duško, Goran, and Boban (Slobodan).

In 1972 our family began a multi-directional migration process out of Yugoslavia. After a few years in Germany, most of the family finally immigrated to the United States in May of 1976. Dad and Mom enjoyed more than 30 productive years in California, before Dad became ill and eventually died in December 2009. They lived together in Hawthorne, Redondo Beach, and Madera, before finally settling in Vista, CA. It is in Vista where Mom would spend her final years as a widow, enjoying the blessings of her earthly family and her extended church family.

With five sons, and with a husband who did not pamper her, Mom was a strong woman, with thick skin and a healthy sense of humor. Still, it is her warm smile, her kind hospitality, and her generous love for which she will be most remembered. Mom was also a favorite among the children, who always knew that they could count on Baba Vukica for a warm smile, lots of love … and some candy.

We thank our Heavenly Father for the beautiful workmanship He created in our loving mother. We all miss her dearly.

Our Mother is preceded in death by her husband, Djuro Dragojlović. Mom leaves behind her five sons: Peter (Georgina), Roy, Duško (Mary), Goran (Kelly), and Boban (Mary Jo).

She also leaves behind her 11 grandchildren: Alex (Irene), Rosemary (Josh), Fabian (Casey), Jennifer (Roni), Melissa, Michelle (Timothy), Matthew, Kacie, Alexa, Jordan, and Cheyenne.

As well as her precious nine great-grandchildren: Justus, Riley, Ali, Ella, Emma, Caleb, Malachi, Jeremiah, and Luke.

Finally, Mom leaves behind her dear older sister, Femka Nenadov (age 100) as well as many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.