Charlotte Cray Zivic

Charlotte Cray Zivic, 34, of Litchfield, died in Lantana, Florida on June 29, 2018, after a twelve-year struggle with opiate addiction.

She was the daughter of Anne C. Dranginis, of Litchfield, Connecticut, and was recently predeceased by her beloved step-father, William P. Jacobs.  She leaves her father Frederick J. Zivic of Key West, Florida.  She is survived by her dear sister, Sarah P. Zivic of Denver, Colorado, and her half-siblings, Jeffrey Zivic, and his wife, Reka, of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Melissa Urban and her husband John of Montrose, Colorado, and their children, Jessica and Whitney.  She leaves two aunts, Mary D. Cianciolo of Torrington, and Janis M. Zivic and her daughter Jessica, of San Francisco.  Her uncles, Lawrence J. Cianciolo and Charles Zivic predeceased her, and Chuck’s children, her cousins, Jennifer and Fritz, survive her.  Her maternal grandparents, William and Margaret Dranginis and her paternal grandparents, Fritzie and Helen Zivic, predeceased her.  She leaves multiple Cleary and Dranginis extended cousins and members of the Jacobs/Youngling/Correa clan.  Charlotte had the love and support of many friends in the Litchfield County.

She was a graduate of Litchfield High School, where she was a co-Captain of the 2001 Berkshire League Championship swim team, and Smith College, Class of 2006.

Charlotte was beautiful and smart, and enjoyed a competitive spirit, likely inherited from her grandfathers, Welterweight Boxing Champion Fritzie Zivic and Will Dranginis who secured a medal at the Salisbury Ski Jump competition in the early 1930’s.  She loved animals and cooking, and had the opportunity to travel, especially in Europe with her Aunt Jan, her cousin Jess and sister.

Charlotte was employed by Viron Rondo, both when he ran DaCapo in Litchfield, and later at Viron Rondo Osteria in Cheshire, and shared many friendships with staff and customers there.  Customers felt welcomed and warmed by her smile and her professional service.

She made many attempts to recover from the scourge of the epidemic that lead to her death, and leaves family and friends to mourn her passing, only limited by the belief that she is at peace.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 49 South St., Litchfield, CT at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 7, 2018.  Her cremains will be buried at St. Thomas of Villanova cemetery with her maternal grandparents following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Kitchen of Torrington, 220 Prospect Ave., Torrington, CT 06790 or to Community Partners in Action, 110 Bartholomew Ave., #3010, Hartford, CT 06106.  Condolences may be sent to Charlotte’s family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com