Condolences

Condolences

We would like to extend our Condolences to the family of our dear Sister Dina Freund-Petranović.

Sister Dina was a church member of the Slavic Church in Schofields, NSW.  During the last few years, she had been suffering from dementia and was being cared for at a nursing home.  Dina fell asleep in Jesus on Friday, 12th May 2017.  May God comfort and strengthen her family while they mourn the loss of their beloved mother and grandmother.

The funeral took place on Wednesday, 17th May at the Riverstone Cemetery.  Sister Dina’s children chose to only have a graveside service and this was taken by Brother Joe Voncina in two languages, English and Slavic.  Family and friends came from different walks of life to pay their last respects to our beloved sister.  We hope to meet our dear Sister Dina once again at Jesus’ feet.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”  Revelation 21:4.

Memories by Mira Ilic:

“In fertile Slavonia, on the 20th August 1935 Dina Freund Petranovic was born.  Her parents Mate and Ljuba were devoted Christians, baptised in the Reform Movement in 1928. They lived in Novoj Gradiški with their three children, Mira, Dina and Josip who were all brought up in the faith. They were a very hospitable family, always welcoming travellers and visitors. Their home was also used as a church meeting place and many times even for conferences.  Brother Mate was a Bible Worker, and he frequently travelled to visit church members in different places.  As there was no available transport like today, most of his visitations were made on foot, walking.  Everyone who visited their home and those that received their visits were happy and especially glad to hear the words of salvation.  Even though they went through many hardships and difficulties, they patiently bore it all and glorified their Lord.  That’s how our dear Sr Dina learned to patiently work in the home, in the garden, with the domestic animals, sowing, knitting and massaging; all this she learned from her mother Ljuba.

Dina was baptised quite young in 1948.  She was a good example in the home and out in public, never running away from work. Nobody had to remind her if there was something that had to be done. She would be quick to see it and do it.

Dina married Paul Freund with whom she had two children, Liliana and Joseph. Being a good mother, she was careful to bring them up to be ready for their future lives.  Dina came to Australia in 1969, and even though she returned in 1978, Australia become her final home from 1998 onwards.

Life passed quickly, and in a very short time Liliana and Joseph were left without their father and mother. Their mother had sincerely prayed for her children while she was able to do so; she had prayed for them to be honest, not to forget Jesus or one another and to care for their families.

Liliana married Tony Frances, and the Lord blessed them,lik e Dina, with two children: a daughter, Alissa and a son, Jad.

May the good Lord bless them and keep them faithful, so that one day they can meet their loved ones once again in the kingdom of God.”

~ Lidia Voncina