PAHULJE, Danica

DANICA PAHULJE 1923 – 2023 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Danica Pahulje in Lethbridge on Monday, July 3, 2023, at the age of 99 years. She passed away peacefully at Extendicare Fairmont with her family by her side.
She was predeceased by her husband, Ludvik, her parents Justina and Alojzij Petric and her three brothers Slavko, France and Joze.
She is survived by her children Dani, Majda (Malcolm Lowings), Ludvik (Jehan Cassis), and Bernadette. She is also survived by her sister, Justina Vale, and nieces Alenka and Tanya (Vince). She was the beloved grandmother (“Stara Mama”) to Michael Lowings (Anastasia Kulpa), Katherine Lowings (Derek Gaudet), Stefan Pahulje, Mikaela Pahulje and great-grandmother to Marian Lowings and Veronica Gaudet.
Danica was born on October 9, 1923, in the village of Sveta Trojica, Slovenia. She grew up on the family farm that included an inn. She worked in the family’s inn, where from a young age she developed skills of household management. She also worked on the family farm where her lifelong love of nature and the outdoors began. The war in the 1940s resulted in the death of her three brothers and forced the remaining family to flee to Austria where they stayed in various refugee camps for several years. It was at one of these camps where she met her future husband, Ludvik. With the hope of finding new and better opportunities, Danica with her parents and sister immigrated to Canada in 1948 and settled in southern Alberta where they worked as farm labourers. Later, Ludvik joined them, moving from Ontario where he had been working on the railway. In 1950, Danica married Ludvik in St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church. Their children were born and raised in Lethbridge.
Danica cherished her family. Frequent gatherings at the family home included indulging in delicious meals and “pecivo”. Danica enjoyed gardening, both indoors and outdoors. She maintained her yard to perfection right into her early 90s. A personal highlight was when she received a gardening award in 2006.
Her greatest joy was celebrating the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She valued education and lifelong learning. She enjoyed various activities including singing, sewing, swimming, bowling and golf.
Danica’s resilience, perseverance, courage and faith helped her face adversity throughout her life. She will be greatly missed.
The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to the staff at Extendicare Fairmont for their compassionate care of Danica during the past two years.
A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 pm, on Friday, July 21, 2023, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610, 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am, on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405, 12 AVENUE SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Father Kevin Tumback, celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, and for those who wish, please consider a donation to either Osteoporosis Canada, 201 – 250 Ferrand Drive, Toronto, Ontario M3C 3G8 (donate.osteoporosis.ca) or the Arthritis Society, 393 University Avenue, Suite 1700, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1E6 (arthritis.ca)
Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.