Ana Jurca

The life story of Ana Jurca began in the small, picturesque village of Gura Riului, Romania on August 16, 1947.  Born in the household of Petru and Maria Candea, Ana was the youngest of five children, which included Mina, Maria, Petru and Elena.

In her early years, Ana worked in a candy factory in Sibiu, Romania.  In her spare time, she also provided medical care to many in her village, acquiring skills that she would use throughout her life benefiting countless friends and family members.

One day, while blueberry picking in the hills of their village, Ana met Vasile Jurca and they instantly fell in love.  Ana and Vasile married in 1970, moved to Sibiu, Romania, and started raising a family of four children, including Daniela, Vasile, Petru, and Emanuel.

Ana eventually brought herself closer to God and was baptized in the Pentecostal faith in 1979.  Ana’s deep spiritual awakening was the motive force in her life.  Devoting herself to the Lord was a lifelong mission, bringing her family to the faith which sustained her.

In 1980, during the most oppressive years of communism, Vasile and Ana made the difficult and life changing decision to immigrate to the United States.  After five years of trials and frustrations, in 1985, the family arrived in the United States, settling in Los Angeles, California.  A fifth child, Claudia, was soon born, becoming the first US citizen in the family.  Ana and the family continued practicing their faith with active membership in the Pentecostal community of Los Angeles.

Ana demonstrated her love to her family in a uniquely powerful way.  During the time when the family was trying to emigrate from Romania, Ana went on a 12-day hunger strike while pregnant with her fourth child.  As word got out about the hunger strike, she was visited by the police and fined twice. 

In 1986, the family moved to Chicago, finally finding a permanent home among the vibrant and caring Romanian Pentecostal community.  As her children married and started their own families, becoming a grandmother was one of Ana’s proudest achievements in life and a validation of a life well lived.  Ana enjoyed the time spent with family in large and small moments.

Not long ago, Ana began a difficult battle, which she fought bravely and fiercely. Despite all our efforts, the battle ended on February 2, 2025.  Surrounded by all the love of her family, Ana left us, and returned peacefully to the Lord.  We are left with the tears, and grieving, but knowing that eternal rest is hers now.

She is survived by her loving husband, Vasile; their five children and 8 grandchildren:

Daniela and Cornell Goman (Melanie, Nathan, and Caleb)

Vasile and Rosa Jurca (Adrian and Isabella)

Peter (Justin)

Emanuel

Claudia and Jesse Gregg (Everett and Vinny)

Mom, may you find comfort in God’s warm embrace. Rest, until we meet again.

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