Patricia Marnell Vujovich
Dec. 30, 1931 - Mar. 19, 2016
Resident of Walnut Creek
Patricia Marnell Vujovich passed away peacefully in Walnut Creek on March 19, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. She died as she lived: gentle, kind and positive to the end.
Patricia was born in Oakland, CA to Borisha and Katherine Kerchum. She graduated from Oakland High School and earned an AA degree from Laney College. She worked as a Dental Assistant within UC Berkeley's Cowell Hospital. Following a long courtship she married Will Vujovich, whom she knew through the Serbian Orthodox church, and enjoyed 52 years of marriage. They resided in Concord and Walnut Creek and had two daughters. Patricia worked joyfully as a homemaker, spending countless hours supporting her husband and daughters, volunteering in her daughters' schools and for their swim team. Patricia was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain and often hosted gatherings for family and friends. She also enjoyed many years as part of her bridge group, forging friendships that would last a lifetime.
After raising her children, Patricia went back to work as an office manager in the freight industry for several years and then worked as a secretary at Cal State Hayward, Contra Costa. There she was promoted to the position of Academic Advisor and was both loved and respected by the students and instructors she served.
Patricia's life was heavily influenced by her Serbian heritage, and even more by her Serbian Orthodox Christian faith. As a founding member of the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Moraga, she tirelessly and joyfully served for over 60 plus years as a Sunday School teacher, as President of the Women's Club, singing in the church choir, orchestrating large social and cultural events, and raising money for those less fortunate. She actively worked to grow in her faith through Bible studies.
Patricia is survived by her caring daughters, Marnie Finnerty (Marty) and Lisa Rigisich (Steve), and her five grandchildren: Kevin, Katie, and Michael Finnerty and Ray & Nik Rigisich, sister Gloria Shapona of Millbrae, and her three nephews, Stevan, Robert and David Shapona.
Patricia lived her life with tremendous grace and will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved her. A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, 1700 School St. in Moraga, CA 94556 at 7:00pm on Friday, March 25th. A funeral service and interment will be held in the Chapel at the Serbian Cemetery in Colma on Saturday, March 26th. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations in her honor be made to Holy Trinity.
