Monday, June 24, 2013

Stella (Stavroula) Jatras laid to rest on Thursday, June 20, 2013 - Milana "Mim" Bizic pays tribute in words and images

 
Painting of Stella Jatras
Photo by Milana "Mim" Bizic
June 20, 2013
 
Tribute to Stella (Stavroula) Jatras
 
after she was laid to rest on Thursday, June 20, 2013
 
by
 
Milana "Mim" Bizic

"V. Rev. Fr. Srboljub gave a beautiful eulogy for our Stella today, on behalf of all of us. Later on, at the hall, besides all the other loving tributes given to Stella by her son Jim, husband George, granddaughter and friends, I also spoke and said how she was like our "Wonder Woman." WW's tiara had a star in the middle of it, and Stella was our star in many ways. Like WW's golden lariot (lasso), Stella was able to corral all those media lies. Then, remembering the beautiful boots of WW, I couldn't help but remember how Stella gave those lies the boot, sending them flying high in the sky, over the newswires, appearing in the newspapers as editorials, on TV, at rallies, etc. She was indeed a special woman. Like her son, Jim, said: 'She did it ALL!" Loving wife, mother, grandmother, faithful church-goer, and fighter for justice all over the world!'

"Martha Zatezalo spoke, saying how Stella and George invited them to their house to stay over, when they all attended a party in Washington, DC together. Until then, Martha and Stella had never met in person, only through emails!  'Imagine her hospitality to strangers!'

"Milan Varadinovic, Head Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia also spoke, saying how much the Serbian people everywhere, but especially those in Serbia, appreciated having a friend speak up for them during the most trying times.

"Zvezdana Scott and her husband were also at the funeral to show their utmost respect, but couldn't stay for the mercy dinner afterwards.

"We all were so grateful we had an opportunity to bid her one last farewell. As they took her coffin out of the church, Fr. Srboljub Jockovich and I sang "Vjecnaja Pamjat." While the mourners at the cemetery placed their flowers atop her coffin, I sang "Memory Eternal" alternating with "Vjecnaja Pamjat" until the last mourner passed. I then kissed her coffin from all of us! Goodbye, dear Stella, American-Greek by heritage, but a true AMERICAN-SERBIAN hero too. A fighter for truth and justice for all causes she believed in."



Milana Bizic
www.babamim.com

 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Camp Hill, PA
Photo by Mim Bizic June 20, 2013
 
 
Photographs of Colonel George Jatras (USAF) and wife Stella
who were married 60 years!
Photos by Mim Bizic June 20, 2013
 
 
V. Rev. Fr. Srboljub Jockovich and Rev. Kosta Petrogeorge saying prayers
over their beloved Stella.
Photo by Mim Bizic June 20, 2013
 
By Mim Bizic:
"V. Rev. Fr. Srboljub Jockovich said he spoke on behalf of ALL the Serbs in Pennsylvania, in the USA, in the whole world, thanking Stella Jatras for her continuous efforts to speak the truth of behalf of the suffering Serbian people so unfairly demonized in the media for the last 20 years.  'She never gave up!'"
Photo by Mim Bizic June 20, 2013.
 
By Mim Bizic:
"Instantly it was easy to love Rev. Kosta when he talked of his beloved parishioner, Stella.  'She and George were in church each Sunday, she attended all the Bible Classes, and we discussed some of the problems bothering Stella about the unfair media...'"
Photo by Mim Bizic June 20, 2013
 
Award presented to Stella Jatras by Serbian National Defense
on Vidovdan, June 28, 2009 at New Gracanica Monastery.
Photo by Mim Bizic June 20, 2013
 
Display of some of the awards given to Stella Jatras over the years.
Photo by Mim Bizic June 20, 2013.
 
Display of photos of Stella Jatras in her earlier years.
Photo by Mim Bizic June 20, 2013.
 
Photo display of Stella Jatras' family members.
Photo by Mim Bizic June 20, 2013.
 
From left to right, looking at the photo: Martha Zatezalo, Mr. Milan Varadinovich, Head Consular at the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia Washington, DC, Mim Bizic, and Zvezdana Stojanovich of the RAS organization
at the funeral of Stella Jatras.
Photo courtesy of Mim Bizic June 20, 2013.
 
From left to right, looking at the photo: Martha Zatezalo, Mr. Milan Varadinovich, Head Consular at the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia Washington, DC, Dr. Stankovich, Mim Bizic, and Zvezdana Stojanovich of the RAS organization at the funeral of Stella Jatras.
Photo courtesy of Mim Bizic June 20, 2013.
 
By Mim Bizic:
"It was wonderful to see Mr. and Mrs. Dan Scott there, but sadly under these circumstances.  Zvezdana Stojanovich was representing the RAS organization, besides herself...in gratitude to Stella Jatras for all her hard work on behalf of the Serbian people."
Photo by Mim Bizic June 20, 2013.
 
Gathering in the cemetery for the funeral of Stella Jatras.
Photo by Mim Bizic June 20, 2013.
 
"Flowers were held by all in attendance at the funeral of Stella Jatras
as prayers were said."
Photo by Mim Bizic June 20, 2013.
 
"Mr. Milan Varadinovic, Head Consular at the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia was there from Washington, DC and later spoke at Stella's mercy luncheon."
Photo by Mim Bizic June 20, 2013.
 
"Final prayers and 'Memory Eternal.'"
Photo by Mim Bizic June 20, 2013.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*****
 
If you would like to get in touch with me, Aleksandra,
please feel free to contact me at ravnagora@hotmail.com
 
 
*****
 

2 comments:

  1. Thank you, Aleksandra, for helping more people learn more about our dear Stella.

    This morning I received an email from Milan Varadinovic, from the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Washington, DC, who wrote:

    Dear Mim,

    "It was honor to all of us being there with George, Jim, family and other friends of such a glorious and beloved lady. Stella should remain with us to shine as a Star of honesty and pride, a monument to the shame of all those who traded the truth for their own comfort.

    "The best way for the Serbian people to pay back to Jatras family and all our Greek brothers for what they did for justice and truth is to keep our memories alive, our hearts open and continue to teach the best values of honesty and bravery to our kids.

    "I sincerely hope to meet you soon again and cooperate in any effort to promote those values."
    Best regards, Milan

    ReplyDelete
  2. On behalf of my father (George), of myself, and of our whole family, I wish to convey our heartfelt thanks to our Serbian brothers and sisters (i don't want to mention any names for fear of leaving someone out!) for this wonderful tribute to my mother, Stella, and to her work, as well as thanks to all those who joined with us in person and in prayer to lay her to rest. At the risk of understatement, it is a marvel to consider all that she was able to accomplish, and a challenge to each of us to do more in the cause of truth she championed. With profound gratitude, respect, and affection, Jim.

    ReplyDelete