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IN MEMORIAM:  Johanna Svrakov, 92;

Aided Dutch Resistance During WWII

Johanna Svrakov 1922-2014
Johanna Svrakov
1922-2014

ONEONTA – Johanna Svrakov, 92, a native of the Dutch East Indies who later contributed to the struggle against German occupation of her native Netherlands during World War II, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014, at Fox Hospital.

Johanna was born in Medan, Sumatra, now part of Indonesia, on Jan. 19, 1922, the daughter of Jantinus and Zalika (Grunantj Barnai) van Dijk. Following the death of her father, the family returned to the Netherlands, where Johanna was brought up and educated.

During World War II, she and her mother contributed to the struggle of the Dutch Resistance.

Johanna graduated from the University of Amsterdam as a qualified pharmacist and, after the war, moved to Switzerland to work. There, she met her future husband, Borislav, and they were married in 1949. Subsequently, they emigrated to Canada, where their son, Andreas, was born.

In 1958, the family moved to New York City, and to Oneonta in 1960, where Borislav was a professor of languages at Hartwick College. Johanna lived the rest of her life in Oneonta.

She became an American citizen in 1963. She was an active member of the community over many years, serving, among other functions, as a holder of various offices in the Hartwick College Women’s Club, as a long-term adviser to the Hartwick sorority, Gamma Phi Delta, and as a member and office holder of P.E.O.

She made a remarkable impression on many, as an independent, vibrant, positive woman of values, who loved life, who was genuinely interested in and concerned about others, and was full of enthusiasms. These traits remained with her throughout her life. She was able to continue to the end in her own home, thanks to the assistance of friends and neighbors, especially Lillian Dox and Sue and Dan Obergefell.

Johanna is survived by her son, Andreas and his wife, Danuta.

A private funeral service will be held at the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Monastery in Jordanville.

May all those whose lives were touched by her warmth keep her memory in their hearts.

Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta.

 

 

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