Marija Vuglač, also known as "Mary", passed away peacefully at the Dom Lipa Nursing Home on September 28, 2024 at the age of 93.

Born in the small village of Bedenec, Croatia in the pastoral farmland of Zagorje, Marija left Croatia after the Second World War to pursue her future. She followed her brother, Stjepan to Essen, Germany. There, she re-connected with her childhood neighbour, Josip, and soon married him. In a mining company barracks, she gave birth to her first boy, Zvonko.

With a husband and a 6-month old child, she once again followed her brother - this time to Timmins, Ontario, Canada. She set up a comfortable household and nurtured the family while her husband and brother worked in the nearby mines. After the devastating death of her brother in a mining accident, the family moved to Toronto. Shortly thereafter, a second son, Steve, was born. She augmented the family income by cleaning homes and eventually working at Rowntree Chocolates. When she retired, the homebody life was sufficient for her.

Marija was a warm and caring woman. She was the nucleus of the family, a devoted mother whose fortitude held the family together and propelled it forward. She had an enduring passion for her religion, praying each night for the protection of the children of the world.

Marija was predeceased by her husband and her siblings Stjepan, Sylvester, Bara and Draga. She is survived by her two sons.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 3rd, 6:00-9:00pm at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St W, Toronto. Father Horvat will have a vigil prayer at 7:30 pm.

The funeral mass will take place 10:00am on Friday, October 4th, 2024 at Our Lady Queen of Croatia Parish, 7 Croatia Street, Toronto.

After the service, she will be interred at the Assumption Catholic Cemetery, 6933 Tomken Road, Mississauga.