Obituary of Clara Mary Jurich

Clara Mary (Kaftanski) Jurich (age 93) of Ashburn, Virginia, passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2017, at Goodwin House in Alexandria, Virginia. Born on December 7, 1923 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Casimir Kaftanski and late Antoinette Hopek Kaftanski, Clara married Peter P. Jurich on August 18, 1946 and lived most of their married life on Long Island, New York. Clara graduated High School and worked at times as a comptometer operator and for many years as a librarian. She and Peter were the proud parents of Anthony (Tony) Jurich, Peter M. Jurich, Joan Jurich and Steven Jurich, and Clara found a deep and rewarding calling in her amazing work as a dedicated mother, highly skilled homemaker and enthusiastic volunteer at her kids’ schools and at her church. At 4’ 10” in height, she was a tiny Mom with a very big heart. A devout Catholic, she firmly believed in the power of God to foster good in a world that often has been in sore need of more kindness and love, and she had a special, life-long dedication to the Blessed Mother as a vital intercessor for the needs of her family, friends and all people, everywhere. She lived her Christian faith through deep prayer, humble sacrifices and by being an example of God’s love to all she encountered. Clara and Peter moved to Ashburn, Virginia in December 1997, where, after 52 years of marriage, Peter preceded her in death in December 1998. In her later years, she was a very proud Grandmother of five, who loved her grandchildren more than words could fully express. She constantly prayed for her family and took genuine delight in hearing about all the many successes and endeavors that her children, grandchildren and other family and friends engaged in. As Grandma Clara, she was sure to go to every soccer and basketball game, and every school performance and concert. She was an affectionate daycare provider…who let her grandchildren get away with A LOT. She was not at all afraid to express her opinions, even from the sidelines or stands. She liked to have fun, even when her children and grandkids teased her. She loved sports, hotdogs, soft pretzels, cookies, cherished Sunday night dinners, large family gatherings, reading and saying her rosary. But most of all, she loved her family (both those she was formally related to and those who were “family” via years of shared love and friendships), and she loved her religion and profound faith. Clara was predeceased by her parents; husband Peter; son Tony Jurich; and daughter Joan Jurich; as well as her sisters, Helen Witkowski and Estelle Rykowski; and brother, Bill Kaftanski—and many other dear family members and friends. She is survived by her son, Peter M. Jurich (of Ashburn, Virginia); son Steven Jurich, daughter-in-law Madeline and grandchildren Jake, Maggie and Matthew (all of Ashburn, Virginia); son-in-law Austin Babrow (husband of Joan Jurich) and grandchildren Fran and Peter (of Athens, Ohio); daughter-in-law Olivia Collins (wife of Tony Jurich, of Manhattan Kansas); and her nieces/nephews Barbara Novosel, Tommy Witkowski, Paul Hansen, Paul Kaftanski, Karen Campanali and Julie Thomas and all of their families. And last, but not least, she is also survived by the “Petrizzi-wing of the family tree,” the large and loving family of Steve’s wife Madeline, who also cared deeply for Clara. In lieu of flowers, there are several organizations to which a memorial contribution may be made that would pay tribute to Clara (Please cut & paste URL's into your browser to make a donation): • Goodwin House Palliative Care and Hospice (Contribute via the Goodwin House Foundation at): https://www.goodwinhouse.org/goodwin-house-foundation/programs/ghi-hospice-program/ • Goodwin House Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Program (Contribute via the Goodwin House Foundation at): https://www.goodwinhouse.org/goodwin-house-foundation/programs/clinical-pastoral-education-cpe/ • Goodwin House Alexandria (Contribute a general unrestricted memorial gift via the Goodwin House Foundation at): https://www.goodwinhouse.org/goodwin-house-foundation/how-to-give/credit-card-giving/credit-card-donation-form/ • Tony Jurich Community Commitment and Leadership Student Awards (Contribute via the K-State Alumni Association at 1-800-600-ALUM and ask for Brad Sidener or via the Kansas State University Foundation online at): https://one.found.ksu.edu/ccon/new_gift.do?action=newGift&CCN_FUND_ID=6&site=found&SCENARIO=SELECTFUND&reason=WEB (Note: When making your donation via phone or online, please be sure to state the Tony Jurich Community Commitment and Leadership Student Awards as the gift designation) • Joan Jurich Scholarship for Excellence in Engaged Learning (Contribute via the Ohio University Foundation by phone via 1-800-592-FUND or online at): https://www.ohio.edu/advancement/gift.cfm (Note: Please click on “Make A One-Time Gift,” then check “I would like to allocate my gift to a fund not listed.” and then type the Joan Jurich Scholarship for Excellence in Engaged Learning in Allocation Fund Name text box as the gift designation) A Wake/Visitation for Clara will be held from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Friday, March 31, 2017 at the Adams-Green Funeral Home (721 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170). A Funeral Mass will then be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at St. Theresa Catholic Church (21371 St. Theresa Lane, Ashburn, Virginia 20147), immediately followed by a brief Prayer Service at St. John The Apostle Cemetery (101 Oakcrest Manor Drive, NE, Leesburg, Virginia 20176). All are welcome. Online condolences may be left for the family by clicking the “Condolences” tab on the left of this webpage.