Olga P. Markovich, a Pacific Palisades resident for a dozen years, passed away on July 6. She was 92. Originally from Yugoslavia, Olga Preskar was born on February 4, 1920 in Zagreb, Croatia. She and her family immigrated to Chicago, where she graduated from Carter H. Harrison Technical High School in 1937. She was a member of her high school debate team, joined a bowling league, went dancing with her girlfriends during her spare time, and enjoyed life in the ‘big city.’ Olga attended the American Savings and Loan Institute in Chicago, where she earned a three-year degree in 1944 and a graduate diploma in 1945. After just four dates, Olga and Frank Markovich married on February 16, 1946, shortly after he returned from fighting in Europe during World War II. They settled in his hometown of Barberton, Ohio, and enjoyed 60 years of marriage. In 1965, Olga and Frank decided to move to California after falling in love with the state’s warm weather during a winter visit. Packing all of their belongings into one car, they drove across country and settled in Santa Barbara, after a lucky twist of fate when they pulled into a local gas station and asked about available homes nearby. The owner pulled out a key and offered to rent a home to the family. Olga and Frank fell in love with the California coast and never left. After her husband’s health declined, Olga decided to move closer to her family in Pacific Palisades. Over the years, she worked at Presidio Savings & Loan, the Santa Barbara County Employee’s Association and Karen Kane, Inc. in Los Angeles. Olga loved reading, politics, polka music, line-dancing with her friends at the Palisades Recreation Center and spending time with her family. Well into her 90s, she could often be seen exploring the Palisades, socializing with friends and participating in many local activities and groups. She was a member of Corpus Christi Church and the American Legion Auxilary. Olga had a genuine joy for life and learning about the people around her. She volunteered for several years at the Palisades Library, where she enjoyed reading books to children as a ‘Granny Reader.’ She is survived by her brother, Frank Preskar (wife Dollie); children Frank of Camarillo and Lorraine Levine and Karen Kane (husband Lonnie), both of Pacific Palisades; and four grandchildren, Jamie, Michael, Jackie and Robert. Services were held July 10 at Forest Lawn. In lieu of flowers, Olga’s family asks that any gifts made in her name support the research of women’s cancers.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
