Obituary of Dragica Popovic

In Loving Memory

Dragica (Gojković) Popović

1940 - 2025

Dragica, affectionately known as “Doris“ or “Tetka Dragica”, was born in the family home in Rudare, Serbia, formerly Yugoslavia, on the 10th of March 1940, daughter of the late Velimir and Stana (Milenković) Gojković.  She passed away at home, with her daughters, in Franklin Lakes, NJ, at the age of 85, on the 23rd of March 2025 after a five month bout with cancer. She was the loving wife of Tomislav Popović who preceded her in death and the youngest of five children with four brothers: Radoslav, Velislav, Tomislav, who have predeceased her, and Ljubislav. She is deeply missed by her two daughters, Dana Popović and Vera P. Styles; son-in-laws, Stavros Beis and Robert E. Styles, Jr., five grandchildren: Robert E. Styles, III, Tomis L. Styles, Veronika J. Styles, William D. Styles, and Georgios Beis

She began her professional career as a seamstress in Belgrade, Serbia, where she met her late husband, “Toma.” They moved to Paris, France, together, where he affectionately began referring to her as “cherie” from the French word meaning darling as her name means “dear one.” Six years later they moved across the Atlantic and settled in Philadelphia, PA where they both worked, remained married for nearly 45 years, and raised their daughters, until Tomislav’s death in 2013.  After Toma’s passing, she moved to Wayne, NJ, where she made new friends, volunteered, and worked at the board of elections.

Dear she was, indeed, to all who met and knew her.  Her generous spirit, kindness, and hospitality impressed and inspired many.  She prepared feasts that could feed an army, always sending guests home with care packets and catering to guests and visitors, announced or not.  She was a pillar of the Serbian Orthodox Church community in Philadelphia volunteering her time and money, serving with dedication as the president of the Circle of Sisters and being awarded and recognized in Serbia for all the funds she helped raise to assist Serbs affected by war. She supported many friends and family members by hosting them extensively during their own move and transition to the United States.  
Her early life was not easy, born into poverty, in post World War II Europe. It included much turmoil such as being “sent away” as a young adolescent with barely an elementary education to earn her keep as a domestic servant, where she was mistreated.  With Tom, as unhoused immigrants during their arrival to the US, through early years in the tumultuous urban American life in the 1970s, they both worked multiple jobs. Together, she and Tom overcame difficult obstacles that may have left many bitter but Dragica always looked to the positive in the future, lovingly contributing whenever and however she could.  They enjoyed traveling together, with Hawaii and Aruba being two of their most memorable trips.  She had many friends and family members she enjoyed spending time with either in person or speaking on the telephone.  She was active in helping raise all of her grandchildren, enjoyed playing games with them and taking pride in their achievements, even more than her own, and continued having a deep bond with each.  Trilingual in Serbian, English, and Greek, she continued enjoying travel annually, through her last year in life, to visit friends in Serbia and daughter Dana in Greece, always helping prepare a birthday celebration for grandson George.   She gave attention to detail and never shied away from hard work. “Don’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today” she often said as that’s what her father used to say.

Her career in the textile industry, as a swift and efficient sewing machine operator excelling in production, continued for nearly ten years until the industry closed its USA operations.  By this time, she and Tom had moved to Northeast Philadelphia where Dragica then shifted her career focus to supermarket cashier and later on to her own cleaning service, thriving at whatever she set her mind. An avid gardener, Dragica spent hours tending to her plants, flowers, vegetables, and fruits.  Her green thumb and attentiveness brought life to everything she touched. She enjoyed walking and stretching for exercise, doing crossword puzzles, and experimenting with new recipes.  She took pleasure in carefully selecting just the right celebratory card to send to family or friends.  During the last decade of her life, she volunteered at the arboretum and particularly delighted in feeding and collecting eggs from her hens, as well as once capturing, with her own hands, a predatory falcon about to make a feast of one of the hens!  That was the dynamism of beautiful Dragica - never one to shy away from a challenge.

Her passing has left a void in the hearts of her family, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by her.  In this time of sorrow and pain, we would like to acknowledge the following individuals who have extended a helping hand and who have dedicated time, money and/or effort towards the ceremony:

Slobodan & Donna Janikić and their daughters Jessica Ivanović, Jennifer Dileo, & Jasna Janikić; Pravde Gojković; Mijolja Gojković; Miladin & Vanda Nikić and their children Tea Slawsky & Nikola Nikić; Mira Bratić; Ranka Borlja; Innesa Kalika; Carol Laskin

Your cooperation and assistance have been graciously accepted by all who are affected by Dragica Popović‘s passing.  We are truly and forever grateful for all the love, support, and heartwarming messages.  

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 1st, 2025 at 12pm, at Saint Nicholas Serbian Orthodox church in Elkins Park, PA 19027, followed by a luncheon, generously donated on her behalf by the Circle of Sisters of the Saint Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church, culminating in a gravesite parastos.