Tatjana K. Pavlovic, MD
The heart of our home, the soul of our family, and our guiding light. You gave us everything, and now we carry your wisdom and love in our hearts, forever grateful for the life you shared with us.
Obituary
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of beloved wife, mother, and prominent Chicago ophthalmologist, Tatjana K. Pavlovic, MD, who departed peacefully at sunset on June 12, 2026, surrounded by her loving family in Chicago, IL.
Born in Novi Sad, former Yugoslavia, on April 2, 1947, and raised in Odessa, Ukraine, she showed an early interest in medicine. It was always her dream to become a doctor. Tatjana graduated from Odessa National Medical University and completed her speciality in Ophthalmology at the renowned Filatov Eye Institute in Odessa, Ukraine in 1974. She married the love of her life Zivojin (Zika) Pavlovic, MD, on a Danube riverboat shortly after. They celebrated their beautiful Golden Anniversary of 50 years of marriage in Belgrade, Serbia, in 2024.
After Tatjana immigrated to America, the country she enormously loved, the happy couple settled down and began growing their family in Chicago, IL. As a young mother of three children, she undertook the rigorous process of completing her medical examinations again, followed by a Preceptorship at Mercy Hospital, a fellowship in Ophthalmology at the University of Illinois, and passing her American Board Certification in Ophthalmology, demonstrating her incredible determination and commitment to her speciality. She went on to serve as an active-duty Major in the U.S. Army, receiving the Army Achievement Medal for Outstanding Services in Ophthalmology in 1983. Soon after, the family moved to Oak Park, IL, and Dr. Pavlovic established her private practice on 2719 W. Peterson Ave., where she served the local and immigrant communities with profound devotion for more than 40 years.
A dedicated global humanitarian, she touched many lives around the world, performing sight-saving cataract surgeries for the underserved in Central America, Africa, and Russia; forming a special and lasting bond with several communities in Honduras.
Tatjana was known above all for her love of life, generous heart, and compassionate soul; she had a warm, signature laugh that filled any room with joy. She loved the arts, culture, literature, music, and world travel. Swimming in Lake Michigan, skiing in Beaver Creek, CO, and frequenting concerts, operas, and symphonies were her favorite activities enjoyed with family and friends.
Devoted wife of Zika, loving mother of Natasha, Ellen, and George, his wife Noelle, grandson Cody, dearest sister of Milan Kalafatic and Olga Melnikov, aunt of Lena and Vika, beloved “soul sister” to Vera, Vesna, Sanja, and Jana. Cherished sister-in-law to Zoran and Anna Pavlovic, aunt to Aleksandar and Zoran Jr., kuma to Angelina (Russo) and Sava Ristanovic, and innumerous cherished extended family and friends that will miss her dearly. Tatjana embodied loving others with a sincere trust in the goodness of humanity and of God.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 19th, 2026, from 1:00-5:00 pm, with the Eulogy at 2:00 pm, at the Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid Ave. Please RSVP on this website. Tatjana’s wishes were no black attire. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to support her lifelong mission of restoring sight to the underprivileged. Organization: Vision for the Americas in Honduras for the Tatjana K. Pavlovic, MD, Operating Room. All necessary information about how and where to donate is located below.
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July 19, 2026
I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Tatjana Pavlovic. She was my doctor for more than 35 years. I also considered her a very dear friend. She was a remarkable woman; so accomplished, talented and very kind. A beautiful soul inside and out. I have always held her in the highest regard - she broke many glass ceilings and was far ahead of her time. Truely an inspiration to all that knew her. I will so miss her. My deepest & sincerest sympathy, condolences & prayers for the Pavlovic family.
With Love, Marylou Kovac
With Love, Marylou Kovac
July 19, 2026
For more than twenty years, my wife, Dr. Vesna Šternić, and I had the privilege of knowing Tanja and her husband, Dr. Živojin (Žika) Pavlović. Tanja embraced life with warmth, optimism, and grace. Her uplifting spirit, understanding nature, and unfailing support made her a truly treasured friend. We will always remember her with deep affection and will miss her dearly.
July 18, 2026
We were deeply saddened to hear of Tanja's passing. She was a genuinely kind and gracious person whose warmth, generosity, and beautiful smile touched everyone who knew her. We feel fortunate to have known her and to have shared wonderful moments with Tanja and Zika over the years.
Our heartfelt condolences go to Zika and the entire Pavlovic family. May your cherished memories bring you comfort, strength, and peace in the days ahead.
With deepest sympathy,
Issam & Liela Maatouk
Our heartfelt condolences go to Zika and the entire Pavlovic family. May your cherished memories bring you comfort, strength, and peace in the days ahead.
With deepest sympathy,
Issam & Liela Maatouk
July 13, 2026
Tanya's passing is a great shock for our family because she, her smile, were always the embodiment of life and joy. Tanya left a great legacy and memories. She was such a reliable friend, always ready to help and give a good advice. She will be missed immensely. We are wishing Zika and the whole family strength and health in these difficult times and always.
Sincerely,
Z. Gusak and family
Sincerely,
Z. Gusak and family
July 5, 2026
It's hard to express my sad feeling and unimaginable pain with loss of Tanjya (I called her in russian manner Tanechka).
The world was the better place with her. She was so genuine, kind, warm, with heart of gold.
At first I came to her as a patient about 30 years. Since then we became not just best friends, but soulmates.
She always will stay in my memory
The world was the better place with her. She was so genuine, kind, warm, with heart of gold.
At first I came to her as a patient about 30 years. Since then we became not just best friends, but soulmates.
She always will stay in my memory
July 1, 2026
Everything.
Can not believe there will be no more long engaging conversations, laughter.
I miss her dearly.
Can not believe there will be no more long engaging conversations, laughter.
I miss her dearly.
July 1, 2026
It is impossible to overestimate the depths of loss my dear friend.
She brought so much warmth, optimism, happiness to my life.
Her genuine care, humanism shone brightly. Wherever she was there was full life, her interests were not limited by her profession, where she excelled but also art, music, travel, just about ever
She brought so much warmth, optimism, happiness to my life.
Her genuine care, humanism shone brightly. Wherever she was there was full life, her interests were not limited by her profession, where she excelled but also art, music, travel, just about ever
July 1, 2026
I don’t remember exactly when the Pavlovic’s first appeared, but certainly it was life changing because Tanja & her family brought to the table an exuberant, joyous & high vibrational way of living. There is no way to describe the Halcyon days of Oak Park summers: morning swims, backyard feasts & great personalities engaging, laughing & being witness to sublime times. Tanja was an integral part of those…oh so ever special times. May she be in peace. All our love. We honor the times together & will always remember.
July 1, 2026
From the time we were 19, Tanja has always been a constant in my life. My heart aches in a way that feels unreal, as if she’s simply away on vacation and will walk back into our lives at any moment.
For over 60 years, we moved through life together -first as teenagers, then as young wives, then raising our children, and eventually growing into the women we became. We were best friends, each other’s confidantes, and she was the one who kept us steady through everything.I will miss our multiple phone calls a day,our girls nights out at the opera or movies, celebrating our birthdays together and so many more moments we shared.
Mark and I will miss her tremendously and will always remember her with love and fondness. Zhika , Natasha, Ellen and George, we are holding you close in our hearts and keeping you in our thoughts. We are here for you always.
Love Vera and Mark Knobel
For over 60 years, we moved through life together -first as teenagers, then as young wives, then raising our children, and eventually growing into the women we became. We were best friends, each other’s confidantes, and she was the one who kept us steady through everything.I will miss our multiple phone calls a day,our girls nights out at the opera or movies, celebrating our birthdays together and so many more moments we shared.
Mark and I will miss her tremendously and will always remember her with love and fondness. Zhika , Natasha, Ellen and George, we are holding you close in our hearts and keeping you in our thoughts. We are here for you always.
Love Vera and Mark Knobel
June 27, 2026
The remembrance of Tanja welcoming me with an open heart, loving me like her own son when I visited 9 yrs back is still fresh in my memory.. I will never forget how she took care of me before the Marathon,…. piling my plate with pasta and pouring on olive oil just to make sure I was all fueled up. She lived her life taking care of everyone around her & has left a beautiful memory in me to cherish forever.
असतो मा सद्गमय। तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय।मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय। ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
असतो मा सद्गमय। तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय।मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय। ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
June 26, 2026
Tanja was a trusted friend, a confidant and someone that I share so many wonderful memories with. When my late and beloved husband was nearing the end of his time on earth, Tanja held his hand and promised him she and Zika would always be there for me...and they always were. The loss is immense and immeasurable. Tanja, you are forever in my mind, my heart and my prayers. I love you, I miss you.
Jana Karasek
Jana Karasek
June 26, 2026
Tanja was more than my mom’s best friend—she was like a fairy godmother to my sister and me, loving us as her own and giving us her whole heart. I was so lucky to work with her early in my career, she taught me so much more than school ever did.
I will never forget her infectious laugh, the way she lit up every room, and how she would greet people with such open arms and pure excitement, as if she hadn’t seen you in years even if it had only been days or hours. She made everyone feel like cherished family the moment they walked in. Her presence made the world brighter, and her memory will continue to do the same.
Kathy, Joe, Noah,David, and Dahlia
I will never forget her infectious laugh, the way she lit up every room, and how she would greet people with such open arms and pure excitement, as if she hadn’t seen you in years even if it had only been days or hours. She made everyone feel like cherished family the moment they walked in. Her presence made the world brighter, and her memory will continue to do the same.
Kathy, Joe, Noah,David, and Dahlia
June 26, 2026
Tanja, such a beautiful, generous, warm and loving soul with a pure heart. We miss you. We love you...until we meet again.
Thinking of Zika and the entire family with much love.
The Krcek Family
Thinking of Zika and the entire family with much love.
The Krcek Family
Donate
In honor of our beloved Tatjana, we invite you to contribute to a cause that was near and dear to her heart, as she dedicated her life to helping people see. Your generous donation to the nonprofit Vision for the Americas will serve as a meaningful tribute, perpetuating the spirit of Tatjana by supporting her humanitarian cause in Honduras. Together, let us continue her legacy of compassion and generosity that she embodied throughout her lifetime.
As a family, we have created a donation fund directly on this memorial page. All donations will go toward the funding of a new addition to the surgical center: the Tatjana K. Pavlovic, MD, Operating Room for the CCSHH clinic in El Progreso, Honduras.
Please use the Donate form to send your donation. All transactions are safe and secured by Stripe. If you would like to write a check, make it payable to: Vision for the Americas, Inc.
Address: 5312 Siesta Court, Sarasota, FL 34242
Memo line: Tatjana K. Pavlovic, MD, Operating Room
The Story
Vision for the Americas is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization that collects funds through donations for the CCSHH clinic in El Progreso, Honduras. Centro Cristiano de Servicios Humanitarios de Honduras (CCSHH) was founded in 1997 as a place where people could go to receive free eye and dental care. For many years, Dr. Pavlovic traveled to the small clinic in Honduras as a volunteer doctor, performing hundreds of sight-saving eye surgeries. She also procured ophthalmology equipment for donation from doctors in the Chicago area. Since its small beginnings, the clinic has expanded and served over 500,000 people in the El Progreso and San Pedro Sula area.
Over the years, Dr. Pavlovic formed a special bond with the doctors, staff, and patients in El Progreso and San Pedro Sula, which moved her to volunteer at the clinic whenever possible. She would tell us about how rewarding it was to help make a profound difference in people's lives by restoring their vision. We would hear about how wonderfully she was treated and welcomed with such open hearts. She talked about her patients who would come down from the mountains of nearby Mico Quemado to see her. There were many stories. We knew as a family that the CCSHH clinic in Honduras would be the ideal organization for friends and loved ones to donate to in loving memory of Tatjana Pavlovic, MD.
The CCSHH El Progreso clinic is currently seeking donations to expand its surgical center with a new operating room for eye surgeries and procedures. Your donation will go directly toward the Tatjana K. Pavlovic, MD, Operating Room. The Pavlovic family has created a fund linked directly to this memorial website; all donations made to the Vision for the Americas nonprofit will be directed to the CCSHH clinic for a new operating room in Dr. Pavlovic's name.
For more information about the clinic and the nonprofit, visit their website: https://visionfortheamericas.org
**NOTE: Please do not donate directly from the Vision for the Americas website, as we have created a fund exclusively for the Tatjana K. Pavlovic, MD, Operating Room. Please use the Donate form or make a check payable to the address above.
Thank you kindly, the Pavlovic family.
Your donation is very much appreciated.
************************** ******************************* ************************
Words of Tribute from Honduras:
Maxine Perry, Director of Vision for the Americas and founding member
"When I first met Dr. Tanja Pavlovic several years ago at the AAO Annual Conference in Chicago, I had no idea that a chance conversation would grow into such a meaningful friendship.
As a family, we have created a donation fund directly on this memorial page. All donations will go toward the funding of a new addition to the surgical center: the Tatjana K. Pavlovic, MD, Operating Room for the CCSHH clinic in El Progreso, Honduras.
Please use the Donate form to send your donation. All transactions are safe and secured by Stripe. If you would like to write a check, make it payable to: Vision for the Americas, Inc.
Address: 5312 Siesta Court, Sarasota, FL 34242
Memo line: Tatjana K. Pavlovic, MD, Operating Room
The Story
Vision for the Americas is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization that collects funds through donations for the CCSHH clinic in El Progreso, Honduras. Centro Cristiano de Servicios Humanitarios de Honduras (CCSHH) was founded in 1997 as a place where people could go to receive free eye and dental care. For many years, Dr. Pavlovic traveled to the small clinic in Honduras as a volunteer doctor, performing hundreds of sight-saving eye surgeries. She also procured ophthalmology equipment for donation from doctors in the Chicago area. Since its small beginnings, the clinic has expanded and served over 500,000 people in the El Progreso and San Pedro Sula area.
Over the years, Dr. Pavlovic formed a special bond with the doctors, staff, and patients in El Progreso and San Pedro Sula, which moved her to volunteer at the clinic whenever possible. She would tell us about how rewarding it was to help make a profound difference in people's lives by restoring their vision. We would hear about how wonderfully she was treated and welcomed with such open hearts. She talked about her patients who would come down from the mountains of nearby Mico Quemado to see her. There were many stories. We knew as a family that the CCSHH clinic in Honduras would be the ideal organization for friends and loved ones to donate to in loving memory of Tatjana Pavlovic, MD.
The CCSHH El Progreso clinic is currently seeking donations to expand its surgical center with a new operating room for eye surgeries and procedures. Your donation will go directly toward the Tatjana K. Pavlovic, MD, Operating Room. The Pavlovic family has created a fund linked directly to this memorial website; all donations made to the Vision for the Americas nonprofit will be directed to the CCSHH clinic for a new operating room in Dr. Pavlovic's name.
For more information about the clinic and the nonprofit, visit their website: https://visionfortheamericas.org
**NOTE: Please do not donate directly from the Vision for the Americas website, as we have created a fund exclusively for the Tatjana K. Pavlovic, MD, Operating Room. Please use the Donate form or make a check payable to the address above.
Thank you kindly, the Pavlovic family.
Your donation is very much appreciated.
************************** ******************************* ************************
Words of Tribute from Honduras:
Maxine Perry, Director of Vision for the Americas and founding member
"When I first met Dr. Tanja Pavlovic several years ago at the AAO Annual Conference in Chicago, I had no idea that a chance conversation would grow into such a meaningful friendship.
Tanja stopped by our informational poster display for CCSHH, an eye clinic in Honduras dedicated to providing care for underserved patients. We were there to encourage ophthalmologists to join our team and help restore sight through various types of eye surgeries and procedures.
Just a few weeks after we met, Tanja reached out to me and arranged her first trip to Honduras. That first visit was the beginning of many more. Year after year, she generously shared her remarkable surgical skills, her time, and her compassionate heart with patients who otherwise would never have had access to the care they so desperately needed.
On a few occasions, when the AAO meeting was in Chicago, I had the pleasure of meeting her wonderful husband, Zika. We enjoyed sharing dinner together at their favorite restaurant and visiting their beautiful apartment. Those evenings were filled with warm conversation, laughter, the kind of hospitality that made you feel like family. Seeing Tanja and Zika together gave me even a greater appreciation for the love, kindness, and generosity that defined her.
What I remember most was not only her extraordinary talent as a surgeon. It was her willingness to serve and the genuine joy she brought wherever she went. Through our work together, I gained not only a dedicated volunteer, but also a treasured friend.
Tanja’s legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched and the gift of sight she helped restore to so many.
I will always be grateful that our paths crossed that day in Chicago, and I will forever cherish the friendship that followed.
She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and never forgotten.
Carmen Toro, Surgical nurse and friend who kindly opened her home to Tanja during her visits
"Dr. Pavlovic's first visit to Honduras was March 2006. I can say that God allowed me to host an angel in my home.
My granddaughter Alejandra and I had the opportunity to share many beautiful moments, going for walks and visiting a place she loved, as she loved to swim after a long day of work. This was the perfect opportunity for Dr. Pavlovic, with much love and patience, to teach Alejandra how to swim. At that time, she was only 7 years old. It was a truly loving relationship between them, since at that time my little granddaughter didn't speak English very well and the doctor didn't speak Spanish, but they understood each other very well (the language of love, I would say).
On each visit, she said she wanted to learn to speak Spanish, but every time she tried, she ended up saying, "This language is so difficult! There are so many meanings for just one word!" And we would laugh a lot because she would end up speaking only in English and saying, "It's time to sleep. We'll try again tomorrow." I can say that every conversation was a great learning experience for me, both in terms of her professional expertise as an ophthalmologist and her advice for my daily life.
On many occasions, we would walk from my house to the clinic (15 minutes each day, which is the distance and very safe). She loved the food of our country: conch soup was one of her favorites, along with baleadas and grilled meat. She also enjoyed dancing (in the photograph, she is dancing with Nubia, the surgical technician who assisted her in surgeries at the clinic). She had the opportunity to visit the Copan Ruins and the beaches of Tela. I could share many more experiences, but it would take too long.
From March 2006 to August 2011, during her visits to the CCSHH in the city of El Progreso, 371 patients had their vision restored, thanks to surgery performed by Dr. Pavlovic.
There is much to say, but what I most want to say is that my daughters Mayra and Isabel, my granddaughter Alejandra, and I are heartbroken that she is no longer with us. But we feel privileged to have known such a special person as Dr. Pavlovic.
I hope she enjoyed her time in my home and my country.
We will miss her forever, but her memory will live on in our hearts and minds, from the bottom of my heart.
Rest in peace, Dr. Pavlovic!"
Carmen Toro, Surgical nurse and friend who kindly opened her home to Tanja during her visits
"Dr. Pavlovic's first visit to Honduras was March 2006. I can say that God allowed me to host an angel in my home.
My granddaughter Alejandra and I had the opportunity to share many beautiful moments, going for walks and visiting a place she loved, as she loved to swim after a long day of work. This was the perfect opportunity for Dr. Pavlovic, with much love and patience, to teach Alejandra how to swim. At that time, she was only 7 years old. It was a truly loving relationship between them, since at that time my little granddaughter didn't speak English very well and the doctor didn't speak Spanish, but they understood each other very well (the language of love, I would say).
On each visit, she said she wanted to learn to speak Spanish, but every time she tried, she ended up saying, "This language is so difficult! There are so many meanings for just one word!" And we would laugh a lot because she would end up speaking only in English and saying, "It's time to sleep. We'll try again tomorrow." I can say that every conversation was a great learning experience for me, both in terms of her professional expertise as an ophthalmologist and her advice for my daily life.
On many occasions, we would walk from my house to the clinic (15 minutes each day, which is the distance and very safe). She loved the food of our country: conch soup was one of her favorites, along with baleadas and grilled meat. She also enjoyed dancing (in the photograph, she is dancing with Nubia, the surgical technician who assisted her in surgeries at the clinic). She had the opportunity to visit the Copan Ruins and the beaches of Tela. I could share many more experiences, but it would take too long.
From March 2006 to August 2011, during her visits to the CCSHH in the city of El Progreso, 371 patients had their vision restored, thanks to surgery performed by Dr. Pavlovic.
There is much to say, but what I most want to say is that my daughters Mayra and Isabel, my granddaughter Alejandra, and I are heartbroken that she is no longer with us. But we feel privileged to have known such a special person as Dr. Pavlovic.
I hope she enjoyed her time in my home and my country.
We will miss her forever, but her memory will live on in our hearts and minds, from the bottom of my heart.
Rest in peace, Dr. Pavlovic!"
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