Marija Cugelj

MARIJA “MARY” CUGELJ (nee Blatnik) age 85, beloved wife of the late Ivan “John;” loving mother of Maria Hebebrand (husband Craig) and Ivan Cugel (wife Debbie); devoted grandmother of Stephanie Heckler (husband Scott), Kristen and Matthew Hebebrand and John Cugel; cherished daughter of the late Janez and Marija (nee Zupancic) Blatnik; dearest sister of Pepca Strumbelj, Vinko Blatnik, Janez Blatnik and the late Joze and Francel Blatnik; dear aunt of Neja Turk (husband David), great-aunt of Andrew, Matthew, David and Peter and survived by many relatives of the Cugelj and Blatnik families in Slovenia.

Mary was born on October 20, 1930 in Ratje, Slovenia and passed away May 5, 2016 in Cleveland, where she has lived since coming to the U.S. in 1959. Mary was very active at St. Vitus Catholic Church where she was a member and also caretaker of the church.  She was in the Altar Society, the Lira Choir and was Woman of the Year at St. Vitus in 2007.  In addition to volunteering at the church, Mary enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening and spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She will be remembered as a religious, faithful, hardworking woman with a generous, selfless and humble nature, who loved people and life.  Mary will be greatly missed.

Mass of Christian Burial Monday, May 9, 2016 at St. Vitus Catholic Church at 10 AM. Burial following at All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Mary at THE ZEVNIK-COSIC FUNERAL HOME, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) WILLOUGHBY HILLS SUNDAY 4-8 PM.

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