A Personal Note — In Memory of My Mum 💙

A Personal Note — In Memory of My Mum 💙

Dear friend,

This week was one of those weeks where I found myself celebrating life more than mourning loss.

Two days ago marked 7 years since my dearest Mum left this world and stepped into eternal life. I haven't been very active on social media lately — life has been wonderfully full with two jobs, family, our dog, and holidays (!) — but I wanted to share something personal with you today.

I'd like to tell you a little about her. Because she was extraordinary.

My Mum's Story

She was born in 1948 in Belgrade, Serbia — just after the war, into a family with Jewish ancestry, many of whom had not survived the Holocaust. She came into the world prematurely, alongside her twin sister. They spent weeks in makeshift post-war incubators. Her sister didn't survive. My Mum did.

She went on to live a full, beautiful life. She qualified as a dentist and then went on to complete multiple specialist postgraduate qualifications — in oral medicine, periodontology, and beyond. She was truly dedicated to her field, giving 25 years of her career to her patients with skill, compassion, and care. She raised four children — one of them is me. She was warm, funny, strong, and so very beautiful.

But life also brought her great hardship. Around the age of 45, her health began to challenge her — a full hysterectomy, then stage 3 breast cancer that she fought like a lion and beat into remission. The treatments, however, took their toll on her heart, thyroid, and other organs. Years later came triple bypass heart surgery, which gave her a new lease of life.

Then, after my Dad passed away, the cancer returned — this time as stage 4 metastatic cancer, spreading throughout her bones and other organs. She suffered greatly for two years, but she faced it all with the same pride and strength she had shown her entire life.

She passed away seven years ago, and joined her twin sister in eternal life.

I always look at her old photos — her at 19 or 20, fully happy, enjoying life, not knowing what lay ahead — and I feel so proud of who she was. A warrior, through and through.

I was so very fortunate to have the best Mum — the most caring person in the world. She was always there for me, no matter what. I loved how she would come to visit me in England and stay for 6 or 7 weeks at a time, and we would have the absolute best time together. Our trips to Montenegro, Croatia, Greece, Bosnia — and our road trips together — I loved every single one of them. Thank you for every single moment, Mum. I may have only been 34 when you left, but I am so grateful for every year I had with you. You were irreplaceable.

Tonight I raised a glass of Dublin whiskey in her honour. I know she would have approved. 🥃

Miss you, my beautiful Mum. xxx

A Little Gift, In Her Honour 💙

In celebration of her life and the love she gave so freely, I'd like to offer you a small gift this weekend — valid until midnight Sunday 9th August 2026.

  • Use code MUMSILVER15 for 15% off sterling silver, keepsakes, flower & wedding pieces.
  • Use code MUMGOLD10 for 10% off all solid gold jewellery.

Simply enter your code at checkout. If you have any trouble, just get in touch — I'm always happy to help.

Shop Our Memorial Collections

Every piece at Lovely Oxford is handcrafted with love, designed to carry a little piece of someone's story forever. If you're looking for a meaningful keepsake, here are some of our most loved collections:

Thank you for being part of the Lovely Oxford family. It means more than you know.

With all my love,
Olja (Olya)
Lovely Oxford 💙

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