Milica (Kolevski) Lozanovich

To our dear departed wife/mother/baba/mother-in-law/aunt, Milica Lozanovich, who passed away on Monday, November 8th, 2021, 
You were our guiding light. You were born August 28, 1935 in Srpci, Macedonia.  In the summer of 1959, with immense courage, you left everything you had known in Yugoslavia (Macedonia), to begin life in another country for the sake of your children and family’s future. You sacrificed your place in one culture, the comforts of understanding and being understood, all set aside for the promise of a new life in America. You made the journey across the Atlantic Ocean with your two young daughters, both under the age of five, and a third on the way, to reunite with your husband who arrived in America a few weeks prior. Not speaking English and not knowing anyone else on that trip must have been daunting. For those that knew you, your strength was always very apparent. 

You worked almost 40 years at the Hoover Company, a factory job that you never complained about. You wanted to instill in your daughters and grandchildren the importance of an education or trade because in your heart, you never wanted them to work as hard as you did. During some of those years at the factory, you volunteered for the midnight shift, which ended at 7am, so you could be sure you were home in time to watch your young grandchild while his parents worked. Your love of family and the selfless way you showed that love is what defined you and set an inspiring example for anyone that had the good fortune of knowing you. 

You and your husband built over twelve houses and duplexes, doing much of the labor-intensive work yourselves. Your work ethic and determination have often left your friends and family in awe. You loved your family, but you also loved friends and neighbors. You belonged to St. Nikola Macedonian Orthodox Church for nearly 40 years. 

You and Dad/Dedo embodied timeless values which we should all try to emulate: your love of family, your strength, your work ethic, your absolute selflessness, your compassion and consideration for all people, your decency, your honesty, your disinterest in ego, your stoic resolve in the face of relentless adversity to fulfill your duty to your family, all without the need for praise or gratitude. 

You loved tending to the substantial vegetable gardens you cultivated every year.  Most of all, you enjoyed being with your family, sharing stories and laughing, at a kitchen table filled with the abundant and incredibly delicious food that you had prepared (and staying true to your nature, you always insisted on being the last to eat, wanting to ensure your family was well fed before you allowed yourself to indulge.)

Your story may be no different than the stories of most immigrants who braved the journey for a brighter future. You were one of many who came to America seeking a better future, to contribute and to belong. In many other ways however, your story is unique to you; an angel on Earth who carried life’s burdens on her shoulders but always providing her family with love and devotion. Our breaking hearts are a testament to the love and gratitude we have for you. It is incumbent on us to try and be worthy of your sacrifices by following your example; to be good and decent people, to be strong, to look after and love family, to respect others, to be compassionate, and to be selfless. 

You are now returning to God and the angels from which you came.  We are grateful for blessing us with your love.  We love you and we already miss you terribly. One day we will meet again.

In loving memory,
Your entire loving family

Milica is survived by her husband, Metodi Lozanovich; daughters, Victoria Calevski (Jovan); Nancy Lozenkovski (John), Christina Puterbaugh (Michael); grandchildren David Calevski (Laura); Steven Lozenkovski (Laura), Maxwell Puterbaugh (Jordane); Benjamin Puterbaugh (Lia); Johnna Jenkins (Will); Michaela Puterbaugh (Sam Harris); Michael Calevski; great- grandchildren; Joseph, Jonathon, Maxwell, Alexandria, Marley, Weston, and Sonny; many nieces, nephews their families, and friends. 

Milica is preceded in death by her mother, Menka Kolevski; her father Krste Kolevski, her brother Mirce Kolevski, and her sister Vana Jonovski.

Calling hours will be Thursday, November 11th 2021 from 4pm to 8pm at Heitger Funeral Home at 5850 Wales Avenue N.W. Massillon, OH 44646. Services will be Friday, November 12th 2021 from noon to 1pm at St. Nikola Macedonian Orthodox Church 5305 Massillon Rd. NW North Canton, OH 44720 with the Very Reverend  Zoran  Zdravev officiating. Face coverings and masks are encouraged. In her honor, please make contributions to the Alzheimer's Association and the American Brain Tumor Association. Arrangements by Heitger Funeral Home, Heitger.com, 330-830-0148

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