Dorothea Cvijanovich

Dorothea Cvijanovich, born in Bern, Switzerland, on September 20, 1938, died at the peaceful Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House in Winston-Salem on July 31, 2018. Thea met her first husband, George Cvijanovich (deceased 2002), while working in a lab at the University of Bern. In 1964, she was named SwissAir Hostess of the Year. She and George emigrated to the United States in 1966 with Milena and subsequently lived in Massachusetts, where Natalie and Alexandra were born, New Jersey and North Carolina. 

Thea was a wonderful, caring mother, a loving wife, a favorite aunt, and a talented and creative caterer. Her beautiful cakes, most often decorated with real flowers, and her amazing breads were known throughout Winston-Salem and surrounding areas. She made elaborate feasts for many special occasions, including her own second wedding! In 2006, she married Don Green whom she had met at Art Works in Winston-Salem. With his encouragement and light guidance, Thea expanded her creative outlets to include painting and drawing, from which she derived great joy. Thea and Don traveled extensively, enjoying their retirement together. 

In 2012, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. She is survived by her husband, Don Green, her three children, Milena, Natalie, and Alexandra Cvijanovich, son-in-laws Ric Notini and Rob McLelland, her two grandsons, Luc and Noah, as well as three sisters and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, August 5, at Carolina Memorial Sanctuary in Asheville in a mountain meadow of wildflowers. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Kate B Reynolds Hospice House, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, or Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23453.

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