Julia Karov

Julia Karov was pure love, it was the essence of her soul.  Even when dementia took hold three years ago and began to quickly progress, robbed of her memory and many faculties, she continually exuded her inner soul which produced nothing but love.

Julia left an indelible mark on so many, through her thoughtfulness and generosity.  Even never having much material wealth, she loved to give to causes supporting children and anything on four legs.  She was the most nurturing and caring wife, mom, sister and grandmother that anyone could hope to have, her legacy there is large.

Julia was born on March 14, 1939, in Bitola (Beetola), Macedonia – passing on August 8, 2024, at the age of 85.  Her mother, Anna Paligora, was a seamstress, and her father, Stefan Pavkovich, was a major in the King’s army (losing his life defending Macedonia from the Nazi invasion during World War II).  Julia had two sisters, Sonia and Mary, being the middle child.  Sonia died of meningitis at age 12.  Anna, left widowed in war-torn Europe and losing one of her daughters, decided after trying to make it for almost twenty years, to come to America and find better opportunity for her and her two remaining daughters.

Upon arriving to America in 1967, Julia first lived in Chicago, Illinois.  She would travel to Buffalo, New York to see fellow Macedonian friends and it is there where she ultimately met who would become her husband, George Karov – also an immigrant of the same ethnic background.  They married and George moved to Chicago to follow work as a machinist.  There they had one son, Robert, as a terrible post-partum depression and a meager income didn’t allow for any more children.  Together they shared one car, with George working days and Julia working nights (as a key-punch operator, then as a data entry clerk and finally as a jewelry store salesperson).

George and Julia moved to the panhandle of Florida in 2002, where they ultimately retired (and was the place where Julia wrote her memoirs which may someday become a book).  Robert and his wife, Krista, produced two wonderful grandchildren for Julia and George, Cody (now 24) and Lauren (now 20).  This nucleus, and whatever furry pets that were at hand, were the focus of Julia’s existence.  She poured out her love in countless ways, especially with friends at church, also being a tremendous prayer warrior – her faith in Christ was immense!

George (Julia’s husband of over 56 years), her sister Mary, Robert her son, Krista, Cody, Lauren and many others already miss her dearly, but we rejoice in the fact that she is now in the arms of the Lord, fully restored and awaiting us all.

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