Obituary of Romana Prodanovich

Protinica Romana Prodanovich (nee Vravnik), 91, of Dogwood Road, Bridgeport, WV (formerly of Midland, PA) passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2014 after an extended illness. Born on February 8, 1923 in Dravograd, Slovenia, Romana was one of ten children born to Toma and Lucia (Glaser) Vravnik. After completing high school in Dravograd, Protinica Romana worked in a bakery in Maribor, Slovenia until April 1941 when Germany invaded and occupied Yugoslavia. She was sent by local authorities to cook at a POW camp established in Maribor. In February 1942, the authorities sent her as a forced laborer to Berlin where she manufactured radio components. In November 1944, during the intense bombing of Berlin by Allied Forces, she escaped and returned to Dravograd. Upon her return she was briefly imprisoned and then released as the Germans fled Slovenia. Following the War, Protinica escaped from what was now Communist Yugoslavia into neighboring Austria. During her time in Austria she first worked for an Austrian aristocrat. Later, in 1947 while working at a military commissary in Austria, she was encouraged by a British officer to immigrate to England as part of a program to resettle displaced persons from Eastern Europe. Alone, not speaking the language and with only a small suitcase, Protinica moved to England in July 1947 determined to start a new life. In Silesden, England among the refugee community she met her future husband Slobodan Prodanovich, a Serbian Orthodox seminary graduate from Bosnia Hercegovina. They were married in Halifax, England on July 13, 1949. Like many in the refugee community both she and her husband Slobodan found work in the textile mills in Bradford, England. In addition to working in the Textile Mills, the couple maintained a Boarding House and still found time to raise three children, Nicholas, Tomislav and Vesna. In December 1967, the family immigrated to the United States as the newly ordained Fr. Prodanovich accepted a parish assignment at the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania. Two years later in October 1970, Fr. Prodanovich was transferred to the St. George Serbian Orthodox parish in Midland, PA where he served until his retirement in July 1988. For 21 years until Fr. Prodanovich retired in July 1988, she actively supported her husband's ministry. She was a tireless worker and a gracious hostess to the many, many parishioners, clergy, and visitors to their home. Protinica was active in many church organizations including: St. George Choir in Carmichaels, Dr. Laza Kostich Choir in Midland; Kolo Srpskih Sestara in both parishes; St. George Mother's Club, Midland; and the Diocesan Summer Children's Camps in Shadeland Pa and Doyestown, Ohio. In January 2009, Protinica Romana moved from Midland to reside with her daughter and son-in-law in Bridgeport, WV. Protinica Romana Prodanovich is survived by her children: Nicholas and Tina Prodanovich, Potomac Falls, VA, Tomislav and Susan Prodanovich, Germantown, TN; Vesna (Prodanovich) and Gregory Meinert, Bridgeport, WV; and grandchildren Cara Prodanovich, St. Andrews, Scotland, Tess Meinert, Morgantown, WV, Matthew Prodanovich Potomac Falls, VA, and Natalie Prodanovich, Germantown, TN. In addition, she is survived by her 4 sisters Amalia Errat of Villach, Austria, Neza Penec of Prevalje, Marica Miklavc of Ravne na Koroskem, and Tina Stih of Dravograd, all in Slovenia, and numerous nieces and nephews. Protinica Romana was preceded in death by her husband Proto-Stravrophor Slobodan Prodanovich (2000), her parents and 5 siblings. Protinica Prodanovich will lay in state at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 296 Old Rt. 21, Carmichaels, PA on Tuesday, March 11, 2014, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM and again on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 from 10:30 AM until the time of the funeral service at 11:30 AM with the Very Reverend Dr. Rodney Torbic officiating. Interment will take place at 3:00 PM Wednesday at St. Sava Cemetery, Hamilton Rd., Castle Shannon, PA. The Pomen Service will be recited at 6 PM Tuesday in the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to either the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church of Carmichaels, PA or St. George Serbian Orthodox Church of Midland, PA. Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences online: www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.