Virginia Fogaras

Livonia, Michigan - Virginia Ann “Mimi” Fogaras, age 92, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. She was born on June 18, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Virginia Ann (Murphy) and Edwin Miles Carter, a direct descendent of Lorenzo Carter, Cleveland’s first permanent European settler in 1797. Formerly of Dorset, Ohio, Virginia married Zoran Fogaras Sr., in February of 1964. After her retirement, she enjoyed living close to her friends in Holmes Beach, Florida, and Bradenton, Florida, until moving to Michigan with her daughter in 2007.

Virginia was a 1950 graduate of Collinwood High School in Cleveland. After graduation, she became the 1st Cytotechnologist in the Cleveland area. She helped pioneer the testing process for urine and pap smears leading to early detection of cancer cells. Virginia worked with the Papanicolaou group becoming the first in Cleveland to process pap smears, working for the former Huron Road Hospital, the former Mount Saini Hospital, and University Hospitals, traveling from Dorset to Cleveland to continue her career to further early detection, while providing for her family. A loving mother, Virginia had a hard work ethic that she passed along to her children.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of twenty-seven years; her son, Zoran "Bart" Fogaras, Jr., her brother, her sister in law Lydia Ljuboja. Survivors include her daughter, Milica "Mila" and husband Robert Davis of Livonia, Michigan; her son, Zarko "Pete" (Diana) Fogaras of Dorset, Ohio; five grandchildren, Nicholas and wife Lucy, Rebecca, Alexander, Zoran, and Zachary; and a niece, Lily Hatchett and nephew Zarko Ljuboja.

A graveside service and burial will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Whitehaven Memorial Park, 615 Som Center Road, Mayfield, Ohio 44143. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Baumgardner Funeral & Cremation Service of Andover handled the arrangements. Share a fond memory or condolence at www.baumgardnerfuneralhome.com