Obituary of Jagoda Stevanov

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Jagoda Stevanov on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at the Windsor Regional Hospital at the age of 81. She fell asleep in the Lord during the early days of the Dormition Fast in preparation of the Great Feast- Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Dear wife and “Sosa” of Gruja/Gary “Lala” Stevanov for 56 years. Devoted Mama to Aleksandar (Jelica) Stevanov and Andjelka (Jason) LaMarre. Cherished Baba to Milena, Marina, Adam and Milica. Loving sister to Slobodan (Marija) Stancic and caring aunt to Daniel Stancic and Dragana Coverljan and her children Katarina and Nikola Pitik. Predeceased by father Milan, mother Veselinka, sister Dobrila Coverljan, nephew Dario Stancic and kumovi Ljubisa and Bea Vlajkovic. Sadly missed by extended family in Serbia and Kumovi in Canada.

Jagoda left her family, friends and administrative job at ZitoProdukt Zrenjanin and emigrated to Canada to join her new husband in Windsor and was immediately welcomed into the Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Church Community with open arms! Lala and Jagoda worked together at their restaurants throughout the 1970s, Lala’s Place and Lala’s Delicatessen on Ottawa Street, The Gypsy Baron on Front Road in LaSalle and in hosting and touring top celebrity vocalists throughout North America. In the 1980s Jagoda worked part time at Avala Printing as a typesetter for the Voice of Canadian Serbs newspaper. Many will know Jagoda “Strawberry” as one of the friendliest servers from the Deli and Meat counter at NandD Supermarket Eastside and Yorktown locations and at the Triple J Deli in Windsor Market.

Jagoda was constantly volunteering for her Church and Serbian Community as a member of the Kolo Srpskih Sestara, Serbian Heritage Women’s Society and Gracanica Church. Since her children were young, Jagoda helped in the Serbian Centre kitchen, served banquets, baked, cleaned, and then brought her grandchildren to the Church basement to make noodles with her Kolo Sisters. In later years, she would sit at her kitchen table calling ladies to bake or take a volunteer shift or to spread the news about upcoming events while at the same time catching up with friends asking about their families and good news to share with others. Everyone loved Jagoda because she was kind and dependable. She genuinely cared about people and that showed as she greeted friends with her bright eyes, sweet smile, enthusiasm and positive energy.

Jagoda was always a supportive wife to Lala and such a gentle, loving and proud Mama to Sasha and Andjela. And when she became a Baba, her heart was complete! She loved her grandchildren with her entire being and would light up with such happiness when they were around her. Lala and Jagoda hosted many gatherings with friends and family serving delicious dinners, always full of laughter from Baba’s jokes and funny comments. She didn’t take herself too seriously, she was real and loved to the fullest. That’s why she was so special to us and to so many.

Visitation will take place at the Windsor Chapel - Banwell Location, 11677 Tecumseh Rd. E., Windsor, on Wednesday, August 20, from 3-5 pm and 7-9 pm with prayers at 8 pm. A Funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 21 at 11 am at the Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Church, 1960 Meldrum Rd., Windsor, with Fr. Milorad Delic officiating and an interment to follow at Windsor Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jagoda’s memory to the Circle of Serbian Sisters or Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Church.

Cherished memories may be made at www.windsorchapel.com