HUBBARD - Marie Genofy Vukovich, 84, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 5, 2012, at Omni Manor.
Marie was born Feb. 2, 1928, in Youngstown, the youngest of 13 children born to Nikola and Louise Gojak Kunovic.
She grew up on Oxford Avenue, was a 1945 graduate of The Rayen School and worked briefly for Dr. Buchanan in Youngstown.
Marie married Joseph J. Vukovich Sept. 6, 1947, at SS. Peter and Paul Croatian Catholic Church. They were longtime residents of Hubbard, moving there in 1950.
Her Catholic faith was important to her. As a member of St. Patrick Church, she was both Eucharistic minister and lector. ASPIRGRO, the adult spiritual growth group, was dear to her heart. She shared an enthusiasm for the group with her dearest friends. For many years she and her husband could be seen weekly on the corner of Main Street and Park Avenue changing Scripture passages on the church's lighted sign.
Her dedication to Jewish-Christian dialogue, highlighted by a trip to Israel in 1976 led by dear friend, the Rev. George Balasko, emphasized her ongoing desire for knowledge of her faith.
She truly lived her Christian principles by always helping her friends and family in their time of need, especially in the caring of her sisters, Lois and Jay. Her family was always her first priority.
Her Croatian cooking, baked goods and hospitality were at the center of holidays and other family gatherings. Some of her specialties were her mlinci, bean soups, sarma, palachinke, kiffles and kolachi.
Marie will be greatly missed by her family, especially her husband of 65 years; their three children, Joseph J. Jr. (Ruth) Vukovich of Hubbard, Joan (Joseph) Guido of Cortland and William Vukovich of Charleston, S.C.; their four grandchildren, Joseph R. Vukovich of Edgewater, N.J., Christopher Guido of Brooklyn, N.Y., Allison (Tim) Miller of Moon Township, Pa., and Patrick Vukovich of Los Angeles; and their two great-grandsons, Isaac and Hayden Miller. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Kunovic; brother-in-law, Paul (Terri) Vukovich, and many nieces, nephews and cousins, including Petar Gojak of Vranov Dol, Croatia, with whom she visited and corresponded.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents and 12 siblings, Steve Kunovic, Jay Cvetetic, Vlata Kunovic, Emma Skertic, Walter Kunovic, Chuck Kunovic, John Kunovic, Anne Humensky, Matt Kunovic, Carol Brown, Goldie Kunovic and Lois Kunovic.
Family and friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Kelley-Robb-Cummins Funeral Home and also from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Interment will be at Hubbard Union Cemetery.
The family would like to extend special thanks for the care and compassion Marie received from The Hope Center of Howland, Northside Medical Center and Omni Manor.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests material tributes to the Hubbard Public Library, 436 W. Liberty St., Hubbard, OH 44425 or the St. Vincent DePaul Society, c/o St. Patrick Church, 225 N. Main St., Hubbard, OH 44425.
Please visit www.krcummins.com to view this obituary and send condolences to the family.
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