Ruzica Savatic

Ruzica, lovingly known as "Mutti" by those closest to her, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025, just shy of her 90th birthday, surrounded by her beloved family. Born in Glogovici, Yugoslavia, to †Juro and †Pelagija (nee Babij) Hnatijuk, she was one of eleven siblings, the second youngest among them. Her early years were marked by profound hardship. At just five years old, she lost both of her parents at the start of World War II and was raised in an orphanage in Dubrovnik. Despite enduring the horrors of war—starvation, trauma, homelessness, and surviving two near-death experiences—she persevered. She lived for a brief time in Austria with her sister, Marica before finding her path. In 1959, determined to build a new life, she immigrated to the United States. Through the Serbian community, she met †Momcilo, and in 1960, they married, beginning a life together built on resilience and faith in Chicago, Illinois. They welcomed their son, Mihailo, in 1961, followed by their daughter, Jelena, in 1968. Mutti worked at Swedish Covenant Hospital for over 20 years, dedicating herself to both her profession and her family. A woman of immense strength, Ruzica overcame ovarian cancer, open-heart surgery, two brain surgeries, and even COVID. Her unwavering spirit and deep devotion to her family left a lasting impact on all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband, †Momcilo, who passed away on April 4, 2003, in Libertyville, Illinois. Her older brother, †Mihailo, who was in the orphanage with Mutti and often cared for her, passed away less than 24 hours after her. Even in death, he remains by her side to guide her. Ruzica is survived by her children, Mihailo (Nada) and Jelena (Brent); her sister Jelena (daughters: Tanja, Nada) and nieces Silvana and Marica (daughters of †Mihailo). Her legacy continues through her eight grandchildren: Marko (Tanja), Milena, Natalia (Arupesh), Katarina, Nikola (Andjelka), Stevan, Jason, and Luke; and five great-grandchildren: Danilo, Mihailo, Gavrilo, Rafailo, and Milica. Ruzica’s life was a testament to resilience and the power of new beginnings. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered. Visitation Saturday, March 15, 2024 10:15 am until time of Opelo (Funeral Service) 11 a.m. at St. Sava Monastery, 32377 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville, Illinois. Interment St. Sava Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made to St. Sava Monastery (camp building renovation on memo field) or The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to Muzyka & Son Funeral Home. For more information, please call (773) 545-3800.

Ruzica Savatic

March 20, 1935 - March 9, 2025