Radojka Obradovic

Obradovic, Radojka “Joyce” (nee Gacesa) 86, of Windsor, passed away on September 27, 2024, after a lengthy illness. Radojka was born on October 31, 1937, to Dane and Jelena Gacesa in Gracac, Lika, former Yugoslavia. Radojka came to Canada in 1954 with her mother and younger brother Milan to reunite with their husband and father who was displaced from his former homeland during World War II. During the family’s nine-year separation, Radojka took on great responsibilities in managing the family farm, caring for livestock, and working around the home.

Her early years in Canada were difficult. As a 16-year-old with no English language skills, Radojka attended Mayfair Grade School and W. D. Lowe High School. She was a good student, but her formal education career was short. She and her husband Dusan (Dositej) had two sons, Dusan (Dan) and Milan (Mitch). She was active in her children’s education as part of parent-teacher associations and she welcomed her children’s friends into her home, becoming something of a “cool” mother. She embraced her new home country and while she loved her heritage, she was a proud Canadian.

Radojka worked in the family business before going to work for the Canadian Automobile Association where she worked for over 25 years before retiring to care for her elderly parents.

Deeply faithful, Radojka and Dusan were founding and longtime dedicated members of St. Demetrije Serbian Orthodox Church. Radojka was also a founding member and long-time executive board member of the Circle of Serbian Sisters – Majka Jugovica chapter, and worked tirelessly at most of their events. You could always find her working (and laughing!) in the kitchen as part of a zany collection of similarly committed volunteers for many banquets, parish events, and Carousels of Nations.

She was an enormously proud and loving mother and grandmother (Baba) to her children and her cherished grandchildren, nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces. Her love was commonly communicated through food. She introduced her grandchildren to her native cuisine and made them their favorite meals whenever they were together on her frequent visits. She was notorious for packing multiple jars of homemade jams, ajvar, and peppers in her luggage. She would often bring 10-pound bags of Red Rose flour because “the American flour” was not good enough for her baking.

Radojka was defined by her selflessness and generosity, as epitomized by the way she recognized birthdays and important events of her grandchildren, great-nephews, and nieces usually with a generous gift, plus a visit whenever possible. Radojka was always concerned about others more than about herself.

Radojka’s love was not limited to her immediate family. She welcomed visitors and newcomers into her home and her life, providing care, guidance, and mentoring of many adults young and old, particularly those new to Canada. She was known as “Baba English” to the grandchildren of a close friend because she did not speak English with an accent.

She was a fan of the arts, attending plays and operas in Windsor and Detroit with her Kuma and other friends. She enjoyed traveling, into her later years, including visits to religiously significant destinations in Jerusalem and Greece.

When Radojka’s health began to decline and she was not able to care for her home, she moved into a supportive independent living community at Draza Mihailovich Place “Dom” where she lived near friends old and new. While she was still able, she helped others in the community until her condition worsened. She remained at Dom with the help of a terrific team of caregivers who enabled her to remain close to her community. When that level of support was not sufficient, Radojka moved to Brouillette Manor in Tecumseh.

Radojka was predeceased by her husband Dusan (1995) and her parents. She is survived by her sons Dan (Rose Nielsen) and Mitch (Linda) and grandchildren Nikola and Mia. She is also survived by her dear brother Milan (Julie) and their children Stevan Gacesa (Dr. Sheila Singh) and Maria Gacesa (Roger Lemke) and grandnephews/nieces Alexander and Rafael Gacesa and Margot, Larissa, and Dane Lemke. She will also be missed by extended family, Kumovi, and many friends in Canada, the US, and Serbia.

The family will receive visitors at Anderson Funeral Home (895 Ouellette Ave. Windsor) from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 PM on Tuesday October 1st, with prayers at 7 PM. Visitation will continue Wednesday October 2nd, at St. Dimitrije Serbian Orthodox Church (2690 Seminole St., Windsor) at 9:30 AM until the funeral service at 10:30 AM with interment at Windsor Memorial Gardens to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Dimitrije Church or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank Radojka’s friends and caregivers, in particular Dora Gonzalez, Margie Aquino, Marija Knezevic, and Radmila Stojanovich, and the staff of Brouillette Manor who helped her as her illness progressed.