Maria Antonia Gjivoje Drazinic

Maria Antonia Gjivoje Drazinic, 88, of Eustis, Florida, passed away Sunday, October 19, 2025. Born in Lastovo, Dalmatia, Croatia, she came to the U.S. in 1965 and moved to Eustis in 1972 from Jacksonville, FL with her late husband, Dr. Stephan E. Drazinic, who was the first Ob-Gyn of Waterman Hospital in Eustis. She was a beautiful person inside and out, an amazing cook who threw terrific holiday parties, and a compassionate soul to those in need. She was beloved by all who were lucky to know her. She built a gorgeous European, Tudor-style home in Eustis. She was the loving mother of two daughters, Sandra and Carolyn. She was a member of St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church and a member of the Waterman Hospital Women’s Auxiliary. Maria is survived by her two daughters, Carolyn Drazinic, MD, PhD, MBA of Gainesville, FL, and Sandra Drazinic Petak of East Windsor, NJ, her son-in-law Fredric Petak, and her and two grandchildren, Alexander Petak, Esq. and Daniel Petak, both of Los Angeles, CA. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church, Eustis, FL, on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis, Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation or to the Central Florida Concerns of Police Survivors. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis.