Sofia (Sofija) Zdjelar Wuslich, 76, of Grand Island, NY, fell asleep in the Lord January 6th at home.
Born April 21, 1947 in Linz, Austria, she was the daugher of the late Boško (Božo) Zdjelar and Anka (Velicki) Zdjelar. She was the wife of her beloved husband, the late Milo G. Wuslich for 43 years, and the sister of the late Olga (Zdjelar) Yandrich.
Surviving are her son, Mark (Marko) Wuslich and her granddaughter, Melania Wuslich of Monaca, PA, her brother-in-law, Dmitar Yandrich of Moon Township, PA, niece Ana and nephew Adam Yandrich of Pittsburgh, PA, and sister-in-law, Melissa Marrion (late, Arthur) of Richmond, VA.
Sofia lived out the American dream, coming to the United States as a toddler with her parents after being born in a displaced persons camp in Austria after World War II ended. They came to this country with nothing more than each other where they not only survived, but prospered through incredibly hard work and with their faith in God. At only 8yrs old, she was responsible for caring for her newborn sister while her parents worked sometimes double and triple shifts just to make ends meet. From the very humble beginnings and examples set forth by her parents, Sofia was extremely proud and devoted to her church and to her Serbian heritage. She proudly and fervently served as president of her beloved St. Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church in Lackawanna, NY where she used her unique experience as being an immigrant herself to help welcome and integrate so many newcomers to the church to help bolster it to where it is today. It was commonplace to hear her referred to as “Teta Sofija” by so many who appreciated her efforts in helping them in so many ways.
For her family (both church family as well as blood relatives and Kumovi) Sofia lived her life by applying the most amount of love and thoughtful compassion as possible, and by carrying out tasks to the very best of her abilities, down to the most minute details. She prioritized God and family in her life, and despite facing many adversities in life she did it with grace, tremendously calm strength, and she did it through being thankful to God for all He provides. As such, it is fitting to conclude this with how she signed off nearly every email or phone call with, “Thank God for Everything” or, “Hvala Bogu”!
*Neka Bogu dušu oprosti, Vječnaja Pamjat (May God have mercy on your soul, Memory Eternal!), Mama!
Family, Kumovi, and friends will be received Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 4pm to 8pm (6pm funeral service) at St. Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church in Lackawanna, NY.
Interment will follow at St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Cemetery on Brodhead Road in Aliquippa, PA on Friday, January 12, 2024 after small Pomen service at the cemetery chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests memorial donations to St. Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church (177 Weber Rd, Lackawanna, NY 14218)
Memory eternal.
