Ljljana Ilievska

Dr. Ljljana Ilievska 8/22/1940 – 07/23/2025 84 well-lived years Ljljana was a fiercely proud sister, mother, mother-in law, grandmother (ba-beee!), aunt, cousin, friend, and medical adviser to many people. Yet, her greatest accomplishment was being a woman of great faith. Ljljana lived a faith-filled life that was full of adventures and twists and turns along the road of her life. Born in Resen, Macedonia, she was the high school valedictorian at the most prestigious school in Bitola. She then studied medicine and specialized in pulmonary medicine in Skopje, Macedonia, graduating with highest honors. In the meantime, she met the love of her life, Dr. Kiril Ilievski. Together, they not only designed and built a house from scratch, they built a family together, one of the first private medical practices in the country, and even established and ran a respiratory disease hospital. Ljljana began practicing the art of helping people of all faiths and walks of life at the point in time when tuberculosis was rampant. Despite being in daily contact with her patients, she never contracted the deadly disease. During the communist era, she treated clergy as well, when to do so was unpopular. In turn, she enjoyed being on personal terms with the liturgical hierarchy across two continents. During her last trip to Macedonia, people (2 months to 90+ years) travelled over two hours to come see her – even at the garden door of her house on a Sunday – for treatment. Personally, she began a widowed mother to two children and raised them with love and care despite managing the heavy workload noted above. Beyond her family, she loved and nurtured her sister’s two children after their mother passed away at a young age from breast cancer. To give of herself to her family, extended family, and patients, and personnel all while dealing with all these challenges is a sign of faith that all can and will be done through the Good Lord’s actions. Then, despite leading this full busy life, she packed her bags and began life in a country where she didn’t know the language. She trusted that life would be just fine with a new daughter-in law that she hardly knew, a culture she didn’t know, very few people she knew, and without her professional purpose to help her adapt to the new surroundings. That is a leap of faith. Yet, she took on this adventure with gusto. Imagine the surprise when we came home one day two months after her arrival to her asking about our day and enjoying dinner conversation – in English! Despite being a doctor many times over, she was eventually not immune to disease herself. Knowing the pathology, treatments, complications, and benefits, of everything happening to her, she faced it bravely. She was often a beloved patient of doctors, who generally considered her practically immortal, despite everything. Lest you conclude that she is a walking angel, she had her mischievous days as well. Example: a 2-year-old was brought to the home by his parents with severe congestion. Ljljana smiled at the baby in arms, then turned a harsh eye on the father, and commenced treatment by sternly indicating that the first thing to be done was to help the child not get worse by smoking in front of the child. She promptly pulled the cigarette out of the father’s mouth, tossed it to the floor, stamped on it, and provided them with a script to be filled in the village. Thus, today, and each day forward, lift your hearts and carry on – as she did – despite of and for – everything – in faith. This Saturday, we will gather to pray and lay to rest our dear Ljljana. The arrangements are as follows, for Saturday, July 26: 9AM Visitation at All Saints Church, 4129 W Newport Ave #60634, Chicago, IL 606415. 10AM Divine Liturgy with memorial prayers at All Saints Church 1pm Procession and 2pm burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie (9900 Gross Point Rd) The family will host a mercy meal after the burial, at Sketchbook Brewing (4901 Main St., Skokie) The Ilievski family would also like to point out that Ljljana did not like wearing black to funerals. Otherwise dress appropriately for the services of the church. Also please keep in mind that the Prosopon icon school will also be finishing up Saturday morning in the church hall. Bathrooms are of course available, but otherwise the hall will not be available during the visitation or Liturgy. Blessings to all of you. May our resurrected Lord grant peace and consolation to the Ilievski family at this difficult time. For more information please call (773) 545-3800.

Ljljana Ilievska

August 22, 1940 - July 24, 2025