It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother and baba, Divna Gulan. On the morning of August 2nd, 2024, Divna passed away peacefully at home, in her sleep. Divna was 5 weeks shy of celebrating her 94th birthday.

Divna was born on September 5th, 1930, in the small rural town of Banjani, Serbia. She was the youngest of four children. During the Second World War, when Divna was not in school, she had to help her father and brother with farming while her other two brothers fought in the war. The conflict deeply shaped her childhood, during which she sadly lost two of her brothers.

Divna yearned for a big life, rich with travel, peace, and prosperity. At age 20 she met her late husband, Mirko Gulan and moved to Belgrade, Serbia. Together they had two children, whom she’s survived by, a daughter Branislava (Gulan) Connolly, and a son Radoslav Gulan. In 1968 Divna and Mirko, determined to provide the best opportunity for their family, made the difficult and brave decision to move to Toronto, Canada. Together they started a business that would serve their family for generations.

Divna’s greatest pride and joy was her family. It was her purpose. She was the matriarch of the family. She was deeply adored by her son and daughter, her grandchildren, Darren, Tiana, Courtney, Lauren, and her great-grandchildren, Eva and Anja.

Divna was revered in her community. She was fearless, she accomplished anything she set her mind to. She was steadfast in her traditions and values. She lived by the expression “take care of the people who take care of you.” She had a huge heart, the depth of which knew no bounds. Always optimistic, full of life. Always willing to help - there wasn’t a problem too big for her. Divna had a smile that enveloped you in embrace, a laugh that was contagious. Her favourite moments were spent cooking in her kitchen and entertaining friends and family around her dinner table, the heartbeat of her life. She was everyones ‘baba’. She was one of a kind.

Divna lived a long, healthy, and fulfilling life. With her health waning, she was poised, ready, and content to be reunited with her late husband, Mirko, her brothers, and her parents. Although we will miss her deeply, her presence was too profound to ever leave us. Her voice will continue to echo through us, and her recipes will be savoured by the many, spreading love, just as she did through her cooking.

A celebration of life will be held in Toronto, starting with a viewing on Wednesday, August 7th from 6:00 to 9:00pm at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel (2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M6S 1P4). The funeral will take place on Thursday, August 8th at 10:00 am at All Serbian Saints Serbian Orthodox Church (1375 Blundell Rd, Mississauga, ON L4Y 1M6), followed by interment at Park Lawn Cemetery (2845 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M8X 1A6) and lunch at All Serbian Saints Serbian Orthodox Church.

Please join us in wearing navy blue, Divna’s favourite colour.