Lora Popovich

Popovich, Lora, of Fenton, formerly of Flushing, age 91, died peacefully on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Vicinia Gardens. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 11 am Thursday August 21, 2025, Fr. David Harvey, celebrant. Visitation will be at 10 am preceding mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adelaide St. Fenton, MI. 48430.

Lora was born in Flint, Michigan on August 2, 1934, the loving daughter of John and Lottie Okoniewski. Many knew Lora as “Bubbles,” a childhood nickname that followed her for the rest of her life. She attended Sacred Heart High School and graduated in the class of 1952. Lora started teaching dance at a young age, and was able to earn enough money to pay her tuition to school, support her family when needed, and take a trip to New York City as a teenager to study dance - a memory she held close to her heart for the rest of her life.

On February 2, 1953, Lora married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Andrew Popovich. Lora and Andy were never far apart, always holding hands and taking care of one another and everyone around them. Andy preceded her in death in 2011.

Lora loved many things - but at the top of her list was her family, including her four grandchildren and five great grandchildren (although Lora would tell you that she had always been a “great grandma”). If she didn’t have a dust mop or a paintbrush in her hand, she was baking apple pies or her famous chocolate chip cookies, or even more likely, reading a book. Lora also loved to spend time in Pentwater, Michigan, where she grew up spending summers at the “Blue House” with her family. Well into her 80’s, Lora continued to make an annual pilgrimage to Pentwater to dip her toes in Lake Michigan, visit the cemetery, and enjoy an ice cream at the House of Flavors.

Generous to a fault, Lora always had a kind word and a smile to share. Lora knew joy in her life and was often known to break into a tap dance on a happy occasion - no matter where she was or who was around. It always made her family smile.

Lora is survived by her daughter, Linda and husband Walter Barkey of Fenton, her son, Andrew Popovich II of Flushing, grandchildren Amanda (Barkey) Pontes and husband David Pontes of Pleasant Ridge, Jonathan Barkey of Hong Kong, Nina Stramer of Auburn Hills, Chloe Whitson and husband Frank of Grand Blanc, and great grandchildren Nadia, Sylvia, and Victor Pontes, Angelina Stramer, and Christopher Sharp and nephews Michael and Mark Okoniewski and niece Andrea Nickerson. Lora was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Jack Okoniewski.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Vicinia Gardens and The Medical Team Hospice for their outstanding care.