(Secular Institute of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate)

With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved sister, aunt, and great-aunt, Monika Okrugić, at age 87. She passed away peacefully on Monday, August 5th at Trillium Hospital in Mississauga with her family by her side.

Monika is predeceased by her sisters Manda (the late Ivo) and Janja (George), the latter by only 15 days. She is survived by her siblings Petar (Katica), Stjepan (Mara), Adam, Katica (the late Božidar), her 16 nieces and nephews, 26 great-nieces and great-nephews, a great-great-niece and great-great-nephew, as well as many other extended family members and friends in Canada, Croatia, the United States of America, and Zambia.

Monika was born to Marko and Marija (née Kavedžić) on July 31, 1937 in Morović, Srijem. She was the youngest of 12 children in her family, five of whom passed away as infants.

Her early life was indelibly marked by war and political tensions. She completed her elementary education in Morović. At the age of 23, she and her brother Petar made the life-changing decision to escape on foot through Slovenia to Austria, fleeing the communist regime of that time. Monika and her brother were granted refugee status in Austria, and after a short stay they were able to migrate to Toronto, Canada.

During her first years in Toronto, Monika worked at the Loretto Residence of the University of Toronto. She was an active parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Croatia Parish while living in Toronto, where she formed many lasting friendships. God called her to a deeper vocation and in 1967 she joined the Secular Institute of the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate at the Queen of Apostles Retreat Centre in Mississauga. She was accepted to work in Africa in 1974. During the next 20 years she lived and worked as a Catholic missionary in the Diocese of Mansa, Zambia. There she taught catechism classes, led mothers’ groups, and provided various forms of assistance in the local parish in Mansa. In 1994 she returned to Canada and continued her vocation with the Oblates in Trois-Rivières, Québec, where she lived for the past 30 years.

Monika travelled to many cities around the globe, but the most important part of each of these trips was her encounters with family and friends. Those who have had the privilege of knowing Monika will deeply miss her playful and cheerful nature, which was apparent when she played games and made puzzles with them, bringing her immense joy. Monika was a woman of deep faith and devotion to God. Her life was dedicated to helping others. She lived in the present moment. When faced with significant life decisions, her approach was to think about the situation today, pray on the intention tomorrow, and then make a decision on the following day.

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38–39

May the Lord she offered herself to serve as an Oblate grant her eternal rest in His kingdom.

Any donations made will be helping the Diocese of Mansa, Zambia and the Secular Institute of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

Friends may call at the Turner and Porter Neweduk-Erin Mills Chapel, 1981 Dundas St. W., Mississauga, on Monday, August 12th, from 5 – 9 p.m. Prayers at 8:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass will be held at Croatian Martyrs Parish, on Tuesday, August 13th, at 10 a.m., 4605 Mississauga Rd., Mississauga. Interment at Assumption Cemetery to follow.

The funeral mass is available on the Croatian Martyrs Church Mississauga YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjdqClcX4YQ