Paula Mavec
February 6, 1942 — June 18, 2014
Paula Mavec (nee Bajda), Age 72, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Paula was born in Slovenia in 1942 and soon after her family escaped the country, spending five years in an Austrian refugee camp before immigrating to America in 1949 where she settled with her family in northern Minnesota. In 1961, while a college student, Paula found a summer job in Joliet, where her sister had settled. She met her husband, Albert Mavec and started a new life becoming a wife, mother and nurse. She worked as a psychiatric nurse for Presence St. Joseph Medical Center for 25 years.
Paula is survived by her husband, Albert, of 51 years, and six children: Monica Morrissette, Joe (Marylynn) Mavec, Jana (Mark) Hlade, Meka (Eric) Celidonio, Mike (Stacy) Mavec and Marty (Emily) Mavec. She leaves behind eleven grandchildren: Jared and Melanie Morrissette, Samantha and Marty Mavec, Megan, Kyle and Sarah Hlade, Ana and Trey Celidonio, and Grace and Michael Mavec. She is also survived by six sisters, three brothers, one sister-in-law, and numerous relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by her parents, Pavel and Marija Bajda; sisters, Stanislava Bajda and Teresa Vlaisavljevich; brother, Stefan Bajda; niece, Andrea Babic; and brothers-in-law, Dujo Babic and Felix Mavec.
Among numerous other charitable and service organizations, Paula was a member of St. Joseph Church in Joliet, Slovenian Union of America, Slovenian Catholic League and the Slovenian Catholic/Cultural Center.
Paula's favorite hobbies were gardening, reading, and politics. But the most important aspect in her life was her family.
A Celebration of Paula's life will begin on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 with a visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 12:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 416 N. Chicago St. Joliet. According to Paula's wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. Inurnment will be held privately. There will be no visitation or services held at the funeral home.