Hedvika "Heda" Sfiligoj

HEDVIKA "HEDA" SFILIGOJ (nee Bavdek) age 98, beloved wife of the late Marko; loving mother of Mark (wife Laura), Martin (wife Kathy) and Antony (wife Jeannie); devoted grandmother of Michael, Heidi O'Leary (husband Daniel), Kayla Kosley (husband Timmy), Lia (Sean Quinn), Maria and Marko; great-grandmother of Richard, Charles, Penelope, Nathan, Nicholas and OakLee; cherished daughter of the late Leopold and Antonia (nee Hiti) Bavdek; dearest sister of Judita Nared and the late Leopold and Bojan; dear aunt and great-aunt to many in the United States and Slovenia.

Born on August 28, 1928, in Sveti Vid, Slovenia, a small village in the hills above the capital city of Ljubljana, Hedvika left the country unexpectedly in 1945 during heavy bombardment and fighting in the waning days of World War II.

She finished high school in a camp for displaced persons in Austria before completing one year of pre-med at the University of Graz, also in Austria.

Granted a full scholarship to Marian College (now Marian University) in Indianapolis, Indiana, Hedvika immigrated to the United States. She graduated from Marian College in 1952, with a B.S. in biology and chemistry.

After marrying her husband, Marko, in Cleveland, January 31, 1953, and while still raising her three boys, she went back to school to become certified as a medical technologist, launching a long, meaningful and rewarding career in the field of clinical pathology at Meridia Huron Hospital in East Cleveland.

She also found time to serve as a Cub Scout den mother, Slovenian school language teacher and volunteer at various community events. Moreover, she was a superb cook and baker, often hosting large dinner parties in her century home of 63 years on Sheridan Road in South Euclid.

Hedvika possessed a vibrant, adventurous spirit, which often found her climbing and hiking her beloved mountains, and skiing steep downhill terrain before she finally parked her skis for good at the age of 86!

She was a member of the American Association of Clinical Pathologists and the Pensioners Pristava.

Deeply intelligent, she loved debating local and global events and trends. She was wonderfully social, outgoing, and friendly, balanced by a strong will and a sharp sense of humor.

Her lasting legacy will be the profound devotion she held for her family and her faith. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Hedvika to Benedictine High School.

Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, October 10, 2026 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 1545 S. Green, South Euclid 11AM. Burial following at All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Hedvika at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID, 4600 MAYFIELD RD. (just east of Green Rd.) SATURDAY 9:30-10:30AM.