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Our beloved mother, Tasa (Zubak) Vlajic entered her eternal resting place at the age of 98 on May 23, 2024.
She was born on Aug. 28, 1925 in the Ukraine. Tasa touched many hearts along the way while facing life changing challenges.
As a young child, she survived the Great Famine of 1932-33 that killed over 3.5 million Ukrainians. During the beginning of World War II, Tasa was taken away from her home at age 15 by German soldiers. She was put in a boxcar and taken to several concentration work camps in Germany. She survived four long years of hard labor. There, she met her husband, Gradimir, and they were married in 1945 after they were liberated.
In 1950, Tasa, her husband and two small daughters were sponsored by the first Methodist Church of Mansfield, and were brought to the U.S. On July 1, 2023, she was honored as a World War II survivor at Roseville United Methodist Church. Tasa has resided on Pumpkin Hill Road, Roseville, for over 71 years.
She was a long-time waitress at the Dixie Barbeque Restaurant in Elmira, where she worked for over 33 years. She was loved by all of her customers, many who still fondly remember her smile and hard work.
She is survived by her six children, Rada Azinaro, of Fairfield, Conn., Dushanka (David) Donner, of Millerton, Floyd (Patricia) Vlajic, of Mansfield, John (Mary Lee) Vlajic, of Covington, David (Jean) Vlajic, of Denver, Colo., Robert (Jeanie) Vlajic, of Millerton; 17 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren, and another great-grandchild is expected soon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gradimir Vlajic; and her second husband , Matthew Leo Dooley (Bud), who she married Feb. 17, 2001.
Tasa was a special person. She was kind, considerate, compassionate and the sweetest mother anyone could ever have. She was always willing to give and help others before herself.
Tasa was an avid baseball fan. Her favorite team was the N.Y. Yankees. She watched as many Yankee games as possible and one of her favorite memories was when she went to the stadium to watch them. Gram, as she was called by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, will always be remembered for her special kitchen drawer always filled with candy for them and $1 bills freely handed out to children.
The family appreciates the excellent care that she received from the doctors and nurses at Arnot Ogden Medical Center and by Lise Bailey, her helper and companion.
She was grateful her entire life to the U.S. Troops who freed her from the concentration camp, and to the United Methodist Church who sponsored her family to come to the U.S. One of her favorite exclamations was, "God Bless America!" She said, "you people saved my life. Your names are written in my heart, and I will never forget you. I will tell my children and grandchildren about you."
Friends and family are invited to call on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 from 10 to 11 a.m., at Buckheit Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc. 637 S. Main St. Mansfield, PA. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will take place in Roseville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Alzheimer's Association PO Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090-6011.
www.buckheitfcandcrematory.com