In Memoriam
2nd January 2011
Cecilija Protienė 1908.11.10 – 2010.11.24
Cecilija Protienė
The Lithuanian community in Sydney was saddened by the death of Cecilija Protienė on November 24th, 2010, a couple of weeks after her 102nd birthday.. A Requiem Mass was celebrated for her on November 30th at St.Mary’s Catholic Chapel, Rookwood, followed by burial at Rockwood Lithuanian Cemetery and a wake at Sydney Lithuanian Club, Bankstown. She was farewelled by a large group of friends and relatives, who only two years ago honoured her with a party on her 100th birthday (Please see News Archive for 16/11/08).
Cecilija Valančiūnaitė Protienė was born in Lithuania. Together with her husband Povilas and their two children Kęstutis and Birutė, the family had to flee Lithuania in 1944 to avoid the Soviet invasion. They came to Australia in 1949, settling in Sydney. The whole Protas family became very active members of the Sydney Lithuanian community. For Cecilija love of music was a constant in her life and singing with the Sydney Lithuanian choir “Daina” was very important to her. She was a member of “Daina” since its inception in 1954 and she continued singing in the choir for many years until late in her life.
Of great sadness to Cecilija was that her daughter Birutė and all of Birutė’s family predeceased her. Cecilija is survived by her son Kęstutis Protas and his family.

Cecilija, the Sydney Lithuanian community will miss you!