Delores Sarovich

Delores “Dee” Sarovich, 74, Naples, FL, formerly of Oak Brook, IL, passed away July 3, 2006, in Naples. She was the beloved daughter of the late Bessie and Peter Spann; devoted wife of the late Steve “Swats” Sarovich; cherished mother of Steven (Sheila), Laura (Mark) Maran, Mark, Michael (Donna), mother-in-law of William Stepan and Sladjana Sarovich; much-loved grandmother of Anna, Matthew (Elvia) and Nicholas Stepan, Tanya, Gregory, Stephanie-Dee, Alexandria, Katrina, Maximillian, Tyler, Taylor, Katie, Krissy and Mark Maran, Jr. Blessed great-grandmother of Luke and Natalia Stepan. Dear sister to Yvonne Spann and loyal kumovi of Julius and Delphine Rambat of Bradenton, FL and Dan and Millica Ralich of Youngstown, OH. Delores was born in Gary, IN to Peter and Bessie Spann, immigrants from Trebinje and Banat of the former Yugoslavia. She grew up in Gary, graduated from Emerson High School and attended Business College. After several years at the Continental Can Company in Chicago, Dee became Secretary/Treasurer of Sardee Industries joining her late husband Steve “Swats” Sarovich who founded Sardee in 1962. She later became its Chairman and served until 2005. After moving to Naples, FL Dee became a Realtor and was affiliated with Premier Properties of Naples, FL. Golfing was her favorite pastime and Dee was a member of Imperial Country Club of Naples and Butterfield Country Club of Oakbrook, IL. She was a devoted Christian and a very active member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Gary, IN. She was a longtime choir member of St. Sava and attended many church activities between Indiana and Illinois Serbian churches. Dee was honored to become the Choir Director of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Harvey, IL, under the leadership of Fr. Boris Zabrodsky (S.C.O.B.A.) and later, as a member of Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, joined the Srpska Kolo Sestara, guided by the late V. Rev. Dushan Popovich, the V. Rev. Fr. Uros Ocokoljic, and the V. Rev. Fr. Dennis Pavichevich. She was a great benefactor through the Steve and Delores Sarovich Foundation, to the Serb National Federation and its cultural and educational programs and pursuits. Dee embraced and assisted many other efforts and causes including the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and Community Support Services. May Her Memory Be Eternal, Vechna Pamjati Funeral Service 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 10, 2006 at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral. Interment: Montrose Cemetery. Visitation Sunday 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. Pomen (wake service). In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Steve and Delores Sarovich Foundation, 5100 Academy Drive Suite 400 Lisle, IL 60532. 630-824-4200, would be greatly appreciated. Info: 773-545-3800.

Delores Sarovich

February 9, 1932 - July 3, 2006