Olga Dorchak

Olga A (Zadnik) Dorchak – The lady on the go with many hats.

On October 13, 1928, Olga Antoinette was born to Jacob and Ivanka (KIjun) Zadnik. She had one older sister, Elsie. Jack and Jennie, as they were called in the United States, were both immigrants from Slovenia (formerly Yugoslavia).

Olga attended Cleveland public schools with Catechism classes at St. Lawrence Church, a Slovenian Parish. She made tier Communion and Confirmation at this church.

Olga attended concerts, operas and other activities at the Prince Avenue Slovenian National Home. She was also a member of the Kanareke (Canary) Slovenian Singing Society, which she greatly enjoyed.

Tragedy arrived in her family with the unexpected death other father on May 20, 1938. Olga's mother's one desire was to return to Slovenia to see her own mother. With her father's belongings packed into one large trunk Olga. Elsie and her mother traveled to Yugoslavia early in July 1938. They traveled by train from Cleveland to New York City where they boarded the ocean liner Normandy. Eight days later fluey arrived in LeHarve, France. They went by train to Trieste, Italy and finally by hay wagon to her Grandmother's house in Podgrad. It was the trip of a lifetime and she has never forgotten all of the special times with her aunts, uncles and cousins. Her most favorite memory is finally meeting her Grandmother, Franceska (Maslic) Kljun.

Returning from their trip. Olga’s mother purchased a delicatessen on St. Clair Avenue in the Slovenian-area. Olga enjoyed attending classes with friends that understood her nationality.

Her mother married a gentleman named Pepe, who soon became their Papa. With this marriage, they all moved back to the old neighborhood where they were all able to attend masses at St. Lawrence and the same public school with her former classmates.

Olga was always athletic. During her time at John Adams, she became a gym captain and in time was voted Secretary of the Gym Captains. In her senior year, she became Secretary other class. Olga graduated in January of 1947. To this day, she is still active with her classmates. They meet each year for a picnic, three or four times a year for lunch, and every five years for a special, more formal affair.

The summer before she graduated, Olga met Alex Dorchak, who had recently been discharged from the Navy on June 7, 1946. He was employed at the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company. Coincidentally, this is where she became employed after graduation. After a year of courtship, Olga and Al were married on August 19, 1947.

They had two darling daughters, Kathleen and Diane. Oiga, Kathy and Diane are all active members of Slovenian Women's Union. Kathy served two terms as National President.

Olga has been a member of SWUA, Branch 47 in Garfield Heights since 1965.

Her mother had been president of Branch 47 for many years. When Jennie became too old to continue as President, the branch voted in a new President and Olga became Vice President. With the new President having a few health issues. Olga took charge of the Branch 47 meetings. Olga then became President and has been since 1991. When she was voted in, her mother Jennie was extremely proud to have Olga follow in her path.

Al always supported Olga with her activities. He made sure she was able to travel to Slovenia with her mother and took care of their two girls. Al passed away on January 10, 1994 after a brief illness. Unfortunately, January 10th is also Diane's birthday, which makes it a sad day of celebration. Sadly, the family suffered a double loss when Jennie died on August 26,1994,

Olga is extremely active in the Slovenian community. For ten years she was the Ohio-Michigan Regional President for the Slovenian Women's Union. She is currently the President of the Federation of Slovenian Pensioners Club, Financial Secretary of the Newburgh- Maple Hts. Pensioners Club, on the Board for the Slovenian Home on E 80th (NASH), President of AMLA Lodge 50 NAS DOM, and a member of KSKJ St. Lawrence #63. She is an active parishioner of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, where she works at the rummage sales and picnics. You will always find her smiling face and happy attitude at all of the events held at the NASH.

In an attempt to keep her Slovenian heritage alive, she attends many Slovenian concerts, dances and dinners. She was very pleased that she was able to bring two of her cousins from Slovenia to spend two weeks with her last summer. It was a great time for her to strengthen her Slovenian language skills. She has also traveled to Slovenia many times and is amazed how the country is changing.

Olga is a warm-hearted woman with a zest for life and everyone enjoys being with her.