Katherine Willbur

KATHERINE GOLUBIC-WILLBUR, Age 84.  Writing an obituary for a parent is probably one of the most difficult things to do .  Words don’t come, emotions are too high, and it takes all skill and strength to do. On February 2, 2016,  Katherine M. Golubic-Willbur escaped the torture that dementia had inflicted upon her.; theft of the mind.  She is the widow of Gerald W. Willbur of Battle Creek, Michigan.  A son, Mark (Sue) resides in Midland MI.  For the past five years, she has resided in Pittsburgh with daughter Kathy (Drago) Cvetkovich.  Her  grandchildren, Kimberley (Brian) of Lansing, Matthew (Mary)of Toledo,  Travis(Jordan)  of Wilmington NC, and Jason Cvetkovich of Pittsburgh,  all mourn with her extended family and friends in Battle Creek.  She is the daughter of Anna (Yakin) and Frank Golubic.  Her sisters, Barbara and Rose proceeded her in death.  Her sister Mary survives.  When our family came from Croatia, they were so destitute and lived in an abandoned coal mine in Yukon PA.  Someone saw a newspaper that said the cereal plants in Battle Creek were hiring.  They boarded all the daughters onto a train, and that is where we put down roots.  Mother always said, “Maybe our clothes weren’t new, but they were always clean. . . .”  The wealth of our family has never had anything to do with money, but with our Croatian culture, which has enriched our lives with traditions, depth, identity, language – and for some, set our life paths.  These gifts are things you only get from a parent.  Listening to tambura music was always one of her favorite things.  Even in the end, the instant she heard the music she remembered all words to the song, and her mood brightened.  She often lapsed into speaking only Croatian, which was difficult for her caregivers.  In early December, one of her favorite caregivers bundled her up and brought her to the last time she saw a performance of our Ensemble LJELJO.  She wasn’t even sure who we were, but she totally delighted in the performance of our rich culture.  These things you can never lose from your heart – where she will always be for all of us.  Arrangements for a short viewing in Pittsburgh on Monday evening have been made before she is transported back to MI for a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 12, 2016 at St. Philip Catholic Church. Interment will be at  Memorial Park Cemetery in Battle Creek.  She will again be among all the other Croatians – family and friends – with whom she grew up.
Pocivaj u miru Bozem. . . . . . . Rest in the peace of God.  Pls see links for : McDermott Funeral Home, Kennedy Twp, PA .  www.mcdermottfuneralhome.com and The Richard A. Henry Funeral Home, Battle Creek MI.  www. henryfuneralhome.org.

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