Strumica mourns long‑time teacher Marija Chelebieva
Her body will lie in state at the city chapel on 31 August 2026; colleagues and pupils remember her devotion to books.
The town of Strumica is in mourning after the sudden death of Marija Chelebieva, a 42-year-old teacher who worked for many years as a Macedonian language teacher and librarian at Primary School "Marshal Tito".
Remembered for devotion to pupils and books
Colleagues at the school described Chelebieva as a devoted educator whose care for children and passion for reading shaped generations of pupils. "Her kindness and love for books will be permanently remembered," the school wrote.
In an official message the school added: "We received with great sorrow the news of the untimely loss of our respected colleague Marija Chelebieva, who for years was part of the staff of our school and carried out her work with dedication as a Macedonian language teacher and librarian.
Her love of books, care for the pupils and her professional approach to duties will be permanently remembered by all who had the honor to know her and to work with her.
The memory of her will remain part of our school and in the hearts of the generations of pupils and colleagues with whom she shared her knowledge, kindness and humanity," the statement said.
The news spread quickly on social media, where former and current pupils, friends and residents of Strumica posted messages of condolence and farewell. The body of Marija Chelebieva will lie in state at the city chapel in Strumica on 31 August 2026, from 12:00 to 14:00, where relatives, colleagues and citizens can pay their last respects.
May she rest in peace.
Photo: Unsplash
