Dusica "Beba" Sitarevic's Obituary
Dusica “Beba” Sitarevic
March 14, 1959 – June 17, 2025
Dusica Sitarevic, lovingly known to all as “Beba,” passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. Born on March 14, 1959, in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, Beba was the cherished youngest child of her parents, Lilijana and Sava Sitarevic, who gave her the nickname “Beba” for her sweet nature—a name that stayed with her throughout her life.
At the age of 10, Beba and her mother moved to New York City, where she would later meet the love of her life, Steven Jovanov, at Grover Cleveland High School in Queens. Their bond blossomed into a lifelong partnership of nearly 50 years, rooted in deep love, mutual respect, and unwavering devotion.
Beba’s greatest dream was to be a mother, and she fulfilled that dream with grace, warmth, and boundless love. She was a devoted homemaker who dedicated her life to nurturing her family and creating a home filled with comfort, laughter, and delicious home-cooked meals. Her joy only grew as she became a grandmother, reliving the magic of motherhood through her grandchildren.
In 1995, Beba moved with her family to her idea of paradise—St. Petersburg, Florida—where she found peace among the palm trees, sunshine, and beaches she adored. Her passions included exploring spirituality and the deeper meanings of life, long visits to Barnes & Noble, reading, and sharing heartfelt conversations over coffee. She had a gift for making everyone feel seen, heard, and loved.
Beba will be remembered by all who knew her as one of the kindest, most compassionate, and patient souls. Her gentle heart, deep empathy, and unwavering presence made her a source of comfort and strength to many. She was the person you could always turn to—for a warm meal, a listening ear, or simply to feel understood.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Steven Jovanov; her children, Michelle Jovanov, Nikola Jovanov, Kristina Jovanov, and Aleksandra Jovanov (Adams); and her adored grandchildren, Jackson Kenneth Adams, Daniel Zivan Adams, Benjamin Nikola Adams, Samuel Sava Jovanov, and Emelia Marie Jovanov. She is also survived by her brother, Jovica Sitarevich; sister-in-law, Vera Savanovic; and many extended family members and lifelong friends.
Beba’s legacy of love, kindness, and quiet strength will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 beginning at 10:00 am at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 530 77th Ave. N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702. A Burial Service will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery at 11:30 am.
Dušica „Beba“ Sitarević
14. mart 1959 – 17. jun 2025
Dušica Sitarević, svima nežno poznata kao „Beba“, preminula je mirno, okružena svojom porodicom. Rođena 14. marta 1959. godine u Novom Sadu, Jugoslavija, Beba je bila najmlađe dete svojih roditelja, Lilijane i Save Sitarevića, koji su joj dali nadimak „Beba“ zbog njene nežne prirode—ime koje je pratilo kroz ceo život.
Sa deset godina, Beba se zajedno sa majkom preselila u Njujork, gde je upoznala ljubav svog života, Stevana Jovanova, u srednjoj školi Grover Cleveland u Kvinsu. Njihova ljubav prerasla je u zajednicu koja je trajala skoro 50 godina — protkana dubokim emocijama, međusobnim poštovanjem i nežnom privrženošću koja je iz dana u dan potvrđivala koliko su stvoreni jedno za drugo.
Bebin najveći san bio je da postane majka, i taj san je ostvarila s puno ljubavi, topline i nežnosti. Bila je domaćica koja je svoj život posvetila brizi o porodici i stvaranju kuće punе topline, osmeha i nežnih mirisa iz kuhinje. Njena sreća je postala još veća kada je postala baka — kroz unuke je ponovo proživljavala čaroliju majčine ljubavi.
Te 1995. godine, Beba se sa porodicom preselila u svoj zamišljeni raj — Sent Petersberg na Floridi — gde je nalazila mir pod palmama, u zagrljaju sunca i zvuku talasa koje je volela. Njene strasti bile su istraživanje duhovnosti i dubljih značenja života, duge posete Barnes & Noble knjižari, čitanje i iskreni razgovori uz šoljicu kafe. Imala je dar da svakome pruži osećaj da je viđen, saslušan i voljen.
Beba će svi koji su je poznavali pamtiti kao jednu od najljubaznijih, najsaosećajnijih i najstrpljivijih duša. Njeno nežno srce, duboka empatija i stalna prisutnost činili su je izvorom utehe i snage za mnoge. Bila je osoba na koju su mogli da računaju svi kojima je bio potreban topao obrok, slušalac ili samo neko ko bi ih razumeo.
Posle nje su ostali voljeni suprug, Stevan Jovanov; deca, Michelle Jovanov, Nikola Jovanov, Kristina Jovanov, and Aleksandra Jovanov (Adams); i njeni obožavani unuci, Jackson Kenneth Adams, Daniel Živan Adams, Benjamin Nikola Adams, Samuel Sava Jovanov i Emelia Marie Jovanov. Ostao joj je i brat, Jovica Sitarević; sister-in-law, Vera Savanović kao i mnogi prošireni članovi porodice i prijatelji za ceo život.
Bebino nasleđe ljubavi, dobrote i tihi snage živeće u srcima svih koji su imali sreću da je poznaju.
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