Born March 3, 1943, Donji Crnac, Siroki Brijeg, Croatia

Died August 19, 2025, Toronto, Ontario, Canada


With the deepest sadness, we announce the passing of Pavica Zeljko on August 19, 2025, at the Dorothy Ley Hospice in Toronto, after a battle with liver cancer.

She was the youngest of seven children born to Simun and Manda Zeljko in Siroki Brijeg. Pavica was predeceased by her parents, and her sisters Zdenka, Mara, and Milka. She will be greatly missed by her brother Marijofil, sister Ruza, sister Klara and their families.

Pavica also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews, living in Canada, Germany, Croatia, and Bosnia-Hercegovina.

Pavica loved God, loved her family, and did everything she could to help the poor, always giving beyond her means.

She didn’t talk about following Jesus Christ, she just went about doing it, quietly and humbly. Pavica never had a bad word to say about anyone, and never failed to forgive those who wronged her.

Her generosity, both to those she knew, and to the complete strangers she helped through her perpetually selfless acts of charity, knew no bounds.

Always putting others first, Pavica perfectly followed the examples of those to whom she had special devotions: Our Blessed Mother, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Therese of the Child Jesus.

She remained all her life a happy and faithful child of God, despite the many hardships she faced.

As heartbroken as we are at losing Pavica, we must consider with joy the truth that now she is free to return to Him.

“When I was hungry you gave me to eat,
When I was thirsty you gave me to drink,
Now enter into the house of My Father.”

The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the doctors, nurses and all the staff and volunteers at Dorothy Lay Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to two of Pavica’s selected charities

Good Shepherd Ministries in Toronto (www.goodshepherd.ca)

or

Caritas Mostar (UniCredit Bank d.d. Mostar, Kardinala Stepinca bb, BiH-88000 Mostar, Bosna i Hercegovina, Devizni račun: IBAN BA39 338 060 48937 86133, SWIFT CODE: UNCRBA 22)


Funeral Details

Friends may visit Turner & Porter - Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto, on Friday, August 22, 2025 from 5 - 9 p.m. Rosary 8:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass to be held at Our Lady Queen of Croatia, 7 Croatia St., Toronto, on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Burial to follow at Assumption Catholic Cemetery, 6933 Tomken Road, Mississauga.