Olga B. Markovich, 84, of Toronto, passed away on Saturday, November 2nd 2024 after a long and fulfilling life.

Olga was born in Toronto on February 24th 1940, the only child of Božidar M. Markovich and Milica Trumich. Her father was one of the founders of the Serbian National Defense Council and later the Serbian National Shield Society of Canada. His work greatly influenced his daughter’s own career path and research interests.

Olga worked as a business editor and writer with Southam Communications Inc., but was also passionate about documenting the experiences of Serbian immigrants to Canada. In 1965, Olga authored an influential study titled "The Settlement of Serbs in Canada and Their Activities.” Olga wrote countless articles in both Serbian and English in the Voice of Canadian Serbs over six decades and was a contributing writer for Srbobran and Serb World USA until 2023.

Over the years, Olga’s contributions earned her numerous awards, including the Thomas Turner Memorial award (1973); the Serb National Federation's Person of the Year award (1986); and the 1977 Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.

A dedicated patron of the arts, Olga was passionate about opera, theater, the symphony, and cinema. She was also an incredibly voracious reader; a real literary omnivore who read extensively and could always be counted on to recommend wonderful books to friends. She was known to collect magazine articles and newspaper clippings when she thought the subject might be of interest to someone she knew. Her love language was sharing the written word.

Olga was one of the founding members of a small but dedicated bookclub that celebrated its 20 year anniversary in 2023. Together this tight-knit group of friends read and discussed over 250 fiction and non-fiction titles. They shared countless meals together at restaurants and at each other’s homes and enjoyed attending lectures at the Appel Salon in the Toronto Reference Library. They were, and are, the definition of found family.

Olga will be greatly missed by her dearest and closest friends Mira Mitrovic and Olga Radovanovich, cousins Paula, Don, Peter and James, the Radovanovich, Hammond and Davey families and the many, many dear and cherished friends who loved and supported her throughout her life.

Olga’s friends wish to thank the dedicated healthcare team at Michael Garron Hospital for their care and compassion.

A private funeral will be held at York Cemetery and Funeral Center (160 Beecroft Rd, Toronto) on Thursday, November 7th at 1pm with an on-site reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a preferred charity of choice.