Ana FILIPOVIĆ (nee Kovačević)

Obituary of Ana FILIPOVIĆ (nee Kovačević)

April 22, 1946 – Vranik (Lovinac), Lika, Croatia
January 2, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Ana (Anka) Filipović (nee Kovačević) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2021, at the age of 74 years. 

Ana was born in Vranik, a tiny farm village in the rugged mountain countryside of Lika, Croatia. Ana finished high school in Đakovo, Slavonija, while living with her older sister. She then moved to Zagreb, where she met her future husband, Mate. Together they started a challenging new life in Canada. Ana was a very driven and determined woman and was highly motivated to contribute to the family’s success as much as possible. A young mother with two small children, Ana spent countless hours becoming fluent in English and embarked on a long and rewarding career in real estate and property and tax assessment. Achieving her goals meant years of night courses while working full-time, raising children, and caring for her family. An incredibly proud mother and grandmother, she dedicated all this energy and passion in support of her family. She also devoted much of her spare time to supporting the Croatian community in Canada as a member of Our Lady of Marija Bistrica church council and choir, a director of the Croatian Heritage Society and as a member of the folklore dance group Kardinal Stepinac. 

Best described as a force of nature, Ana was a role model and inspiration to many as a strong, determined, highly principled woman who was not afraid to tell you exactly what she was thinking. She touched the hearts of many and left behind many friends in various circles. 

Ana is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Michelle, Richard and Ana; six grandchildren, Matthew, Jessica, Rachel, Sarah, Nikola and Kristian. She also leaves behind two sisters, Marija Kovačević and Mara Drniković in Zagreb, Croatia; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and relatives in Croatia and Canada. Ana was pre-deceased by her husband Mate.

Ana suffered from a rare, devastating disease called Pulmonary Fibrosis that ravaged her lungs for thirteen years and eventually led to her passing.   If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, Attn: Calgary Chapter (47 Squire Bakers Lane, Markham, ON L3P 3G8, Telephone (905) 294-7645, www.cpff.ca.

The family would like to thank the palliative care staff at South Health Campus for their kindness and caring of Ana in her final days.

Due to restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, Prayers, Funeral Mass and Burial will be private. The Filipović family will arrange a Reception to honour and pay tribute to Ana’s life once the pandemic restrictions are lifted.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Ana’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. 

In living memory of Ana Filipovic, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD SE, CALGARY, AB, T2X 3J3,  Telephone: 403- 256-9575.
 

Share Your Memory of
Ana