Marquette University mourns the loss of Dr. Marija Bjegovich-Weidman, clinical instructor in the College of Nursing, who died Thursday, May 30.
“Marija epitomized the Marquette Nurse,” said Dr. Jill Guttormson, dean of the College of Nursing. “Her intellectual curiosity, care for students and commitment to building an inclusive college made her a beloved member of our faculty. Marija’s human library project introduced dozens of students to members of diverse communities and enabled eye-opening, educational conversations that made them more mindful individuals and future practitioners. We all benefited greatly from her presence and will miss her dearly. Our greatest sympathies go out to her family and friends.”
Marija joined Marquette as a part-time clinical instructor in 2018 and became a full-time instructor in August 2022. She received both her Master of Science in Nursing and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees from Marquette. During her DNP program, Marija lead an initiative called the Human Library, in which undergraduate students met with volunteer members of marginalized or stigmatized groups and challenged prejudices through intentional conversations.
In February 2024, Marija received the Marquette Ignatian Educator of Distinction Award, recognizing her intentional practice of Jesuit values in teaching. She was dedicated to Mission and Ministry work and started a fund to advance its activities and programming.
Prior to her time at Marquette, Marija spent 38 years at Aurora Health Care, spending most of her career in oncology and cancer service before ending her practicing career in 2019 as a lung CT screening program manager.
She is survived by her children, Alek and Alena, her grandson, Myles, and her partner, Bob.
Memorial services will be Tuesday, June 18 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in New Berlin, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the funeral service will follow at 6:30 p.m.
Please remember Marija, her family and friends in prayer.
At the request of Marija’s family, gifts can be made in memory of Marija to the En Todo Amar Y Servir Fund at Marquette University, which Maria established to support mission activities within the Office of Mission and Ministry, which include but are not limited to:
- Mission themed activities throughout the year
- Educational activities pertaining to mission-based development of faculty and staff.
- The human library project, which Marija brought to Marquette in 2023. Rather than checking out books, patrons check out fellow human beings who represent misunderstood and marginalized communities. Through provocative conversations and introspection, students identify biases and break down barriers.
Please make checks out to:
Marquette University
Designation: En Todo Amar Y Servir fund
In memory of: Marija
Mail checks to our secure lockbox:
Marquette University
PO Box 7013
Carol Stream, IL 60197-7013
To give online:
Donation · Marquette University · GiveCampus
Designation: scroll through to “other” and type in “En Todo Amar y Servir Fund.”
In memory of Marija
