"Gracanica" Serbian Orthodox Church

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POPOV, Illean (Ilinka)

August 3, 1925 - February 1, 2021

Born August 3, 1925 in Vranjevo, Banat in the former Yugoslavia. Passed away peacefully on February 1, 2021 at the age of 95. Adored daughter of the late Pavle (Cika Paja) (1992) and Zagorka (1998) Popov. Predeceased by her older brother Nicholas (2017) and sister-in-law Patricia (2020) Popov and Kumovi Olga (2013) and Alex (2015) Calich. Leaves behind niece Lark Popov and husband George Vona and great-niece Aurora. She will be deeply missed by her goddaughter Illean Madrid, Kristina and Marcus Pederson along with many dear friends. Illean worked at Bendix Automotive of Canada Ltd from 1943 until her retirement in 1981. As a founding member, she sang in Gracanica Choir's tenor section since 1949, served as Sunday School Director from 1952 - 1987, was a long-time board member of SNF Lodge 345 "Srpska Kruna", a founding member of the Serbian Heritage Women's Society and served as English Secretary for the Gracanica Church Board for many years. She enjoyed travelling with her friends, reading, listening to music, attending Windsor Symphony concerts and Stratford plays and musicals, bowling as well as tackling the New York Times crosswords. Her favourite quote was "True friends are like diamonds, precious but rare, false friends are like autumn leaves found everywhere." Thankfully, she was surrounded by true friends. Thank you to the dedicated staff at Extendicare Southwood Lakes for their wonderful care. Reservations and personal face coverings are required to attend the visitation at Anderson Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 895 Ouellette Avenue on Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please telephone the funeral home at (519) 254-3223 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to RSVP. A private funeral service will be held Saturday, February 6, 2021 at Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Church officiated by V. Rev. Fr. Vladimir Vranic. In lieu of flowers and to honour Illean's life, memorial donations may be made to Gracanica Church or Gracanica Choir. Please join with us virtually to view the funeral service at andersonfuneralhomewindsor.com"Vjecnaja pamjat. Memory Eternal."