Ted Erceg Shares Memories of “Aunt” Daisy Wuletich

Desanka "Daisy" Wuletich

Desanka “Daisy” Wuletich

The following was shared by Ted Erceg, a former 6-term Executive Board President at St. Sava Church, after the Pomen Service for Desanka “Daisy” Wuletich which took place Monday, January 4, 2016.

One of the most difficult tasks is to deliver these messages about someone you loved and knew all your life but when it’s time for them to pass, there is never enough to say what you want. That is my relationship with Daisy Wuletich.

Many years ago when her father Jefto (maybe you called him John) was President of St. Sava Church. Jefto appointed my father Mike to be a church Tutor. It was said by Daisy’s friends that she inherited many of her qualities from her parents, habits that instilled business acumen, orderliness and temperament. Daisy spent her whole life at St. Sava serving on any number of committees, but she is known to many of us as our favorite Sunday School teacher – she indeed knew her Bible studies and lived accordingly.

She was proficient enough in the Serbian language to translate for hundreds of refugees who came to us after WWII. Daisy spoke with them, and for them, and taught their children how to begin their lives in America on a solid Christian footing.

Years later Daisy kept many a church president informed on topics of church etiquette and social grace, which for many of us Serbs in Gary was difficult. Daisy also maintained a down-to-earth presence in everyday church activities. And she had a way of saying it nicely. I recall a church president who came to the office when our new church in Merrillville was under construction. He asked her to continue as Secretary because of her office skills. She hesitated at first asking how things would be different or difficult than before. She was told it would be different and difficult and she accepted the challenge immediately, known she would not do a mediocre job. She was marvelous at everything asked of her.

Daisy kept our clergy and Board apprised of our challenges, seeing us through many difficult situations, and she did it with a soft, feminine touch. For those who were fortunate enough to know Daisy, she was the very definition of a role model.

Daisy knew far more than she showed. She understood our Holy Holidays and she know how to celebrate them – Slavas, Weddings, Baptisms, the things she did she did with knowledge and with grace. That was the essence of your, and our, “Aunt” Daisy Wuletich.

Vjecnaja Pamjat, Desanka.

Ted Erceg 1/4/16

Funeral services will take place at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN 46410; interment will follow at the Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Sava Church.

More information about Daisy Wuletich is available at – https://www.saintsava.net/desanka-daisy-wuletich-memory-eternal-%E2%9C%9D-vjecnaja-pamjat/

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