Mildred "Smilja" Blagovich

Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | January 31, 2018

Mildred "Smilja" Blagovich, 103, of McKeesport, died Monday, January 29. 2018. She was born November 11, 1914 in West Wilmerding and was the daughter of the late Nikola and Sava Kosich Zivkovich. She was the wife of the late Michael "Miso" Blagovich, Jr. They were married for 63 years. Mildred was the oldest member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and its Sisterhood, Kolo, Serbian National Federation Lodge 7, and was a former member of the Order of The Eastern Star. In 2016, Smilja was awarded Person of the Year by the Serb National Federation. She was a retired Head Cook at McKeesport High school and had 17 years of service there. She had also worked at the former Holiday House in Monroeville. She is survived by her daughter, Melva Jean (Richard) Buzzelli of Penn Hills, grandchildren, Michael A. Makatura of Orlando, FL, and Kimberly A. Miller of North Huntingdon, 5 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandson, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by brothers, Nick Zivkovich, Jr. and  Michael Zivkovich, Sr., and sisters, Judy Jeremias, Tillie Fox, and Mary Zunich. Friends are welcome Friday, February 2, 2018 from 2-4 and 6-8:00 pm at the Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 1638 Lincoln Way, White Oak. (412) 672-6322 Troy J. Gilbert, director. Pomen Service will be held Friday at 7:00 pm in the funeral home chapel. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, February 3 at 10:00 am at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church with The Rev. Stevan Rocknage, officiating. Interment will follow in the Grandview Cemetery, North Versailles. Condolences may be made at Gilbertfuneralhomeandcrematory.com

Originally published January 31, 2018.

Other deaths:
"Paul L. McDonald" || "Ronald P. Grebur"