MEMORY ETERNAL
STELLA STAVROULA JATRAS
SERBIAN FRIEND
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Stella
was born in New York to Greek immigrant parents from Sparta. Sixty years ago
she married George Jatras, also a son of Greek immigrant parents and a career
U.S. Air Force Officer. As a career military officer’s wife, Stella lived in many
countries and worked for the US government and NASA.
When the
war broke out in Bosnia, Stella Jatras challenged western media bias against
the Serbs and presented a more accurate view of that tragic situation. She
succeeded in having her powerful, poignant letters and articles published in countless
publications and the internet. Her prolific pen was a mighty sword for the
truth.
Fearless
in her defense of her Serbian Orthodox brethren, Stella and her family took a
courageous stand while most Serbs remained silent. Stella was a fighter who
made us cheer when we were being pulled down. She encouraged us not to falter,
not to lose faith, that the truth would be told. For her tireless efforts,
Stella was honoured by Washington DC Serbs and by the Serbian Unity Congress.
In 1994 she was the honoured guest speaker at the 49th Serbian Day
in Niagara Falls. She continued to speak out and set the record straight for
two decades.
Stella
was a devoted Orthodox and proud Greek American. As journalist Julia Gorin aptly
described her: Stella was Sparta, truly worthy of her heritage.
To the
large Jatras family – husband George, son Jim, daughters-in-law, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren - we extend our sincere condolences and light a candle
of remembrance for our beloved Stella. Serbs and Greeks have lost a grand lady
and a powerful advocate and friend. Serbs owe her eternal thanks and a place of
honour in our history.
Dearest
Stella, we thank you, we thank you. May your memory be eternal.
Draga Dragasevic
1 comment:
Dear Draga,
Thank you for your moving tribute to my Stella.
My sincere gratitude to all the Canadians and Americans of Serbian heritage who have made Stella one of their own.
She would have asked for no greater tribute.
George Jatras
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