Matushka Mary (Marija) Dotlich Milanovich, 98, fell asleep in the Lord in Lake Mary, FL on June 27, 2025. She was a long time resident of Fern Park, Longwood and later Lake Mary, Florida with an eleven year hiatus in Oak Park, IL. She was born in Gary, IN, on March 29, 1927, and was the eldest child of her immigrant parents of the then-Austro-Hungarian empire: Bude (Robert) (Plitvicka Jezera area formerly Serbia) and Ana (Anka) Kriscović Dotlich (Novi Vinodol, Croatia).
Matushka Mary leaves her daughter, Donna Milanovich Srajer (George) of New Mexico, her son, Robert Milanovich of Florida, her Grandchildren: Garrett Milanovich, Hannah Srajer, Samuel Srajer, Benjamin Srajer, as well as other dear friends and relatives. A special thank you to our dear cousin Annette Peyovich and everyone at Spring Hills Assisted Living, Lake Mary, FL. She was predeceased by her brothers: Rade and Bob Dotlich, sister Olga Dotlich, husband Priest Peter N. Milanovich, son Nicholas Milanovich, and grandson Charles Milanovich.
Like her parents before her, she was a member of Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Gary, IN. She served as financial secretary of the Karageorge choir of Saint Sava where she developed her lifelong love of singing. She was always singing, cheerful, optimistic and smiling. On November 8, 1952 she was married by Rev. Svet. Radovanovich to the love of her life, Peter Nicholas MIlanovich. After Matushka Mary and Father Peter moved to Florida in 1965, they supported the creation of several Orthodox churches in Florida, including Saint Stephens (OCA) and Saint Petka (SOC).
She graduated from Emerson High School in 1945 and attended Gary College (Indiana University). Mary’s high school awarded her a certificate for business and secretarial practice which provided the foundation of her long career, which took her to Washington, DC and later to Martin Marietta. At Martin Marietta she worked as a secretary and technical writer supporting engineers on several projects including the Hellfire missile and Saturn rocket before retiring in 1989.
Mary was always stylish. She could look at a dress and tell if it would fit or look good, and had an eye for color. Her legendary stamina and capacity for hard work was unmatched. She was scrupulously honest, discreet, and selflessly gave of herself to her family and church.
Funeral services will be held June 30 at 10:00 AM at Saint Stephen the Protomartyr Orthodox Church with Father Daniel Hickman and Father Ljubisa Brnjoš of Saint Petka officiating. Interment will be held at 11:30 AM at All Faiths Memorial Park 1390 Park Drive, Casselberry, FL.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that charitable contributions be sent to in Matushka/Popadija Mary’s memory to Saint Stephen, 1 895 Lake Emma Rd., Longwood, FL. 32750, or Saint Petka Serbian Orthodox Church,1990 Lake Emma Rd Longwood, FL 32750.
May Matushka Mary’s memory be eternal!