Dorothy Ann Lubanovic 1936-2024

Dolly, as she was known to all, was born June 5, 1936, in Youngstown, to the late John and Helen Krotky Sefcik. Dolly was a graduate of St. Matthias Catholic School and Wilson High School. She received her nursing degree from Trumbull Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1957 and worked as a registered nurse for St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital for 15 years. Dolly also received her bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University in special education in 1984.

Dolly and Richard “Dick” Lubanovic’s love story began in 1954. After meeting on a blind date and a proposal at a gas station, they were married a few years later on Nov. 9, 1957. They ultimately settled in Austintown and had five children, Maureen (Matthew) Tucker, Andrea (Brian) Hoard, Richard Jr. (Patricia) Lubanovic, Jennifer (David) Cowand and Katherine Lubanovic. She was blessed with six amazing grandchildren, whom she loved dearly, Brittany Hoard, Nathan (Ilene) Tucker, Gabrielle Cowand (Alex) Hawk, Cassidy Cowand, Maria (Savannah) Lubanovic and Stephanie Lubanovic.

Dolly lived a life of service to others in her personal, as well as professional life. She was a longtime, active member of St. Elizabeth Hospital Auxiliary, working with other retired nurses on various projects to raise funding for hospital equipment, providing professional supplies and raising awareness by engaging specialty medical speakers for the hospital staff.

Dolly belonged to St. Joseph Parish in Austintown and participated in Bible study and other church groups. She was an active member of the Croatian Fraternal Union, Lodge 66 in Youngstown. She spent many Fridays greeting friends and lodge members while working in the kitchen for the weekly fish fry. When her children participated in activities with the Croatian Fraternal Union and Happy Hearts Tamburitzans, she volunteered often to make costumes and participate in leadership positions when needed.

An avid lover of baseball, she spent years supporting her husband, children and their friends with their various teams.

With her family, Dolly was a role model for all of them, exemplifying love, loyalty, generosity, work ethic and caregiving. She was loved by many.

As the youngest child in her family, she leaves behind her older brother, John (Lillian) Sefcik III: a brother-in-law, Andrew (Janice) Lubanovic Jr.; and nieces and nephews too numerous to list.

She was preceded in death by John Sefcik II, William (Kay) Sefcik, Leonard (Kay) Sefcik, Michael (Janice) Sefcik, Joseph (Mary Lou) Sefcik, Thomas (Kay) Sefcik, Petrunka Sefcik, Helen Sefcik, Mary Sefcik, Kathryn (Frank) Rigelsky, Ann (Donald) Long and Therese (Tom) Shragal.

Calling hours and a funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at St. Joseph Parish, 4545 New Road, Austintown. A gathering with lunch will follow Mass in the church hall.

(special notice)