With great sadness, we announce the passing of Janja Erić, at age 96. Unexpectedly, at home, in her beautiful garden, where she had always wished to live out the last chapter of her life story.

Janja (the third eldest child of eight children) was born in the village of Morović, Srijem to parents Marija (Kaveđžić) and Marko Okrugić. The Okrugić family home was located two doors away from the Catholic Church, which offered great solace and reassurance to the Okrugić family throughout the turbulence that war had inflicted on the Croatian families in the community.

Janja’s strong Catholic faith and love of her Croatian identity remained with her throughout her life. In 1958 she arrived in Austria, and then eventually in Toronto.

On the ship she met her future husband, George, along with a couple of other friends she would reconnect with later in Toronto. She has been an active member of the Croatian Catholic Parishes of Toronto and of Mississauga, and has always also had a fondness for the Queen of Peace Croatian Parish in Norval. She has treasured every moment spent at every mass and every conversation with anyone she has ever had in these communities.

Janja has been a devoted wife to her surviving husband of 65 years, George; she has been a loving mother to her children Amalia, Mary (Andrew), and John (Lora). Janja has also been a beloved baka (grandmother) to her grandchildren James, Peter, John, Charles, and Ava.

Janja is survived by her brothers Petar, Stjepan, and Adam, and her sisters Katica and Monika.

She is now reunited with her brother Josip, her sister Manda, her close cousin Vita Kaveđžić, and so many other dear relatives and friends in eternal peace.

Isuse, primio si našu voljenu Janju u Tvoje Kraljevstvo. Počivala u miru Božjem!

In lieu of flowers, any donations made will be helping the Roman Catholic Parish in Vukovar, Croatia.

Friend may call to the Turner and Porter Neweduk-Erin Mills Chapel, 1981 Dundas St. W. Mississauga, on Wednesday, July 24th, from 6 – 9 p.m. Funeral mass will be held at Croatian Martyrs Parish, on Thursday, July 25th at 10 a.m., 4605 Mississauga Rd, Mississauga. Interment at Assumption Cemetery to follow.