Petrina (Baba) Smilova

On November 19, Petrina Smilova passed away after a brief hospitalization at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. She and her late husband, Dr. Spas Smilov, became residents of Gainesville in 2009. They moved here from Bulgaria to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Petrina was born on May 20, 1929, in the village of Tarnava in northern Bulgaria's rural region. She was the oldest child of Marin and Pena Veslkovsky. Petrina lost her mother at a young age and became very close to her grandmother. She was an energetic and hard-working child. After completing her education, she worked as a nurse in the Bulgarian healthcare system for 35 years. Her professional skills and caring personality made her an exceptional nurse. Petrina finished her career as a nurse supervisor, in an ENT ward in Varna, Bulgaria. In retirement, Petrina and her husband moved to Gainesville and joined the local community. They were members of Saint Elizabeth Greek Orthodox Church in Gainesville. She was a skillful gardener featured in Tioga Magazine. Petrina had an exceptional gift and passion for cooking which was appreciated by family, friends, and anyone who knew her. She created exceptional specialties of Eastern European cuisine. Most of all, Petrina (Baba) is remembered for her kindness and unconditional love for people. In her tiny body, she carried a big heart full of Christian love. Petrina was not proficient in English, but she made every person feel warm, loved, and appreciated. She had a humble and shy personality, but she became the matriarch of the extended Smillov family. Petrina is survived by her sister Nikolina in Bulgaria, her son Anton and his ex-wife Linda, and their children, Kamryn and Aubrey, her son Marin and his wife Arlene, and their children, Sienna, Kristen and her fiancé Tim, Ryan and his wife Gina, and her great-grandsons, John and Charlie. She will be dearly missed by her family and anyone who knows her. We are grateful to God that he graced our lives with Baba and trusted us in her care for 95 years. She left a piece of her loving heart in every person she touched. We can only honor her and keep her memory. We now trust her in God’s care after her long journey of loving and caring for people. May her memory be eternal. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Greek Orthodox Church 5129 NW 53rd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32653. Burial will follow at Countryside Cemetery 10926 NW 39th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32606. The family will receive friends Friday, November 22, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Elizabeth Greek Orthodox Church.

Petrina (Baba) Smilova

May 20, 1929 - November 19, 2024