In loving memory of Dominika Rajič (nee Mustapić), who passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Monday, 22 January 2024 at Trillium Hospital Mississauga.

Predeceased by her daughter Marija Marčinko (Zdravko-Jim), Dominika is survived by her devoted husband Liberan after 65 years of marriage, her son Archbishop Petar, and her son Liberan Victor (Mary). She is also survived by her adored grandchildren Joseph, Damjan and Marin Marčinko, as well as Luka and Angelina Rajič, and many other extended family members and friends in Canada, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and the United States of America.

Dominika was born in Doljani, a small Croatian village in the south of Bosnia-Herzegovina bordering today’s Republic of Croatia. She was the youngest of 12 children in her family, five of whom passed away as infants. Her parents and family thought that Dominika would not survive infancy; however, by God’s providence, she outlived all her siblings, by a good number of years.

Dominika completed her elementary education in the nearby village of Dračevo and her secondary school in the town of Metković. At the age of 23, she and her fiancé Liberan, made a life-changing decision to escape on foot through what is now, Slovenia to Austria, fleeing the communist regime of that time, in search of freedom in the democratic West. Dominika and Liberan were granted refugee status in Salzburg, and after a short stay, Dominika was able to migrate to Toronto, Canada, to work as a nanny. Roughly six months later, Liberan also immigrated to Toronto to reunite with Dominika, and they were married at Our Lady Queen of Croatia Catholic parish shortly thereafter.

Dominika embraced the Canadian way of life by expanding her culinary and baking skills while also preserving the tradition of her homeland. An exceptional cook, she introduced her family’s Croatian recipes to Canada welcoming all who visited her home with warm hospitality.

Dominika was a woman of humble and unwavering faith in God. Despite the challenges she encountered in her life, she remained steadfast in her devotion to the Lord, dedicated to her family, active in the Church, and always empathetic towards friends and strangers. Through her example, she instilled in her children and grandchildren the importance of faith, humility, higher education, compassion and kindness.

She was an active member of Our Lady Queen of Croatia parish while living in Toronto, as well as Croatian Martyrs Roman Catholic parish in Mississauga during the last decades of her life. She was also a member of the Catholic Women’s League, where she formed many lasting friendships.

Those who have had the privilege of knowing Dominika will deeply miss her and are grateful to God for the time they shared with her.

May the Lord grant her eternal rest amongst the chosen ones in His kingdom.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Caritas of the Diocese of Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina (Caritas Biskupija Mostar-Duvno i Trebinje-Mrkan) or to Croatian Martyrs Parish in Mississauga (Župa Hrvatskih Mučenika u Mississaugi).


U Boga vjerovaše,
domovinu Hrvatsku ne zaboraviše,
Kanadu poštivaše i bratu čovjeku pomagaše.

They believed in God,
never forgot their homeland Croatia,
respected Canada and helped their fellow man.