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Print Article Page 1 of 1 Funeral Mass Thursday for the 'Queen of Color' By Judy Magid The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake Tribune 2004-07-21 00:50:25.319 Even people who longingly remember the Joseph Smith Memorial Building as the Hotel Utah admire the restoration work completed in 1993 by the architectural firm FFKR and the interior design by architect Magda Jakovcev-Ulrich. Fondly remembered as the "Queen of Color," Jakovcev, 48 , died July 17 of breast cancer. This evening friends will gather in celebration of her life at 6 p.m. at her home, 235 N. East Capitol Boulevard. Described by her husband, architect M. Louis Ulrich, as "a modernist, believing that cities were made not of pattern books, but dynamic new interpretation of our times," Jakovcev was meticulous in her research of the time and designs used in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, as well as other projects including the Cowles Building at the University of Utah; the Physical Education Building at Southern Utah University; the Noyes Building at Snow College; and the Mariposa and Royal Street Cafe at Deer Valley. In her residential work, Jakovcev worked one-on-one with clients. "We planned the house together," James Okland said of his home, featured in the spring 2004 edition of Utah Style & Design . "I would tell her what I was thinking and she knew how to put it on paper. If she thought I was going off-track, she would tell me. And I listened." Jakovcev also worked with Carolyn Abravanel in replicating Maurice Abravanel's home studio in the David Gardner Hall Music Building at the U. "I had the dream of what I wanted, but Magda made it a reality with her insight and unending patience with me. It is a tribute to Maurice, but it also is a tribute to one very special lady who will be dearly missed," Abravanel said. Jakovcev was born Jan. 8, 1956, in Zadar, Croatia, to Biserka and Niko Jakovcec. She graduated from the University of Zagreb in Croatia with a bachelor's degree in architecture and received a master's in architecture from the University of Utah in 1983. She married Ulrich in 1987. She was a member of the Salt Lake City Landmark Committee and the Utah Arts Festival Board and taught architecture at the U. She is survived by her husband, mother, brother, Frane (Jasenka) and nephews Luka, Donat, Niko and Marin Zadar. A funeral Mass will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 E. South Temple. httn· //um.rw .::ltrih r()m /n()rt] pt /::irtirl Plhtm 1/fr::iomPnt.:: /nrint ::irtirlP i.::n? ::irtirlP=?17Q?4Q 7/?1 /?004 Page 1 of 2 - ~ 1 Magda Jakovcev-Ulrich Magda Jakovcev-Ulrich 1956 "' 2004 Born to Biserka and Niko Jakovcev January 8, 1956, in Zadar, Croatia, Magda came to Sa It Lake City in 1980 with her husband, Ivan Mirkovic (divorced), to attend the University of Utah. She married M. Louis Ulrich in 1987. Magda was an architect, interior designer, and the Queen of Color. With Magda there, heaven will no longer be white. She is survived by her husband, Louis; mother, Biserka; brother, Frane (Jasenka); nephews; (affectionately called "mali vrag"), Luka, Donat, Niko and Marin, and all from Zadar. She leaves behind a legacy of friendship to many, both here and in Europe. Magda graduated from the University of Zagreb in Croatia with a Bachelor of Architecture degree, she then received her Masters in Architecture from the University of Utah in 1983. After working for 15 years at major architectural firms including F.F.K.R. in Salt Lake City, and S.O.M. in San Francisco, she created her own independent architectural practice in downtown Salt Lake City, Magda Jackovcev, AJA. Her life and talent is evident, and will be forever remembered throughout the state of Utah. Her works include the interior of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, the Cowles Building at the University of Utah, the P.E. Building at Southern Utah University, the Noyes Building at Snow College, and the Mariposa and the Royal Street Cafe at Deer Valley. Magda designed several award winning homes, the most recent being featured in Utah Style and Design magazine. She has received numerous awards, including honors for the interior of the Ford Motor Build ing (Gastronomy), the Noyes Restoration at Snow College and the Campbell residence in Salt Lake City. Her clients became her center of attention, and then became her lifelong friends. She served on the Salt Lake City Landmark Committee, and the Utah Arts Festival Board. Magda taught at the University of Utah, instilling in her students that architecture is a lifestyle, encompassing not only design, but art and beauty. She helped her students afford educational trips that they might not have been able to take without her assistance. Magda had a passion for life, whether it was at home or abroad. No stranger to Paris, New York, San Francisco, or Istanbul, a tireless traveler to the very end. Demanding excellence and elegance of herself and nurturing the same in her students and friends. Working, playing, arguing but never quitting. Magda brought to the world a flair that only she could possess. Neither Yamamoto nor Gucci could be the fashion kings without Magda, the Fashion Queen . By her request, her ashes will be spread over the Adriatic Sea near her home. She said that she wanted to tickle the toes of her nephews every time they go sailing. The httn·//wv.rw lP.o-~r.v r.nm/rnmmnnrohrnnd /PrintNntice .Hsn?rohr:md= saltlaketrihune&Pers... 7/21 /2004 Page 2 of 2 family wants to thank Dr. Anna Beck and her staff, Nancy, Barb, and Gene, and the Huntsman Cancer Institute including Dr. Blumenthal and Julia. Their care was professional but more importantly, loving and nurturing. A wake for Magda will be held Wednesday, July 21st, at 6 p.m. at her home, 235 North East Capitol Blvd. All who knew Magda are welcome to celebrate her life. A Funeral Mass will be held for her at the Cathedral of the Madeleine (331 East South Temple) at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 22nd. As a living memory for Magda, a scholarship fund is being established for the University of Utah College of Architecture + Planning. We respectfully request that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Magda Jakovcev Scholarship Fund at 375 South 1350 East, Room 235, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112. Magda said that writing this obituary would be very hard for us. She, as always, was right. Published in the Salt Lake Tribune from 7/19/2004 7/21/2004. httn: //www.leu::icv .com/C:ommonC:ohrand/ PrintNotice.::isn?C:ohrnncl= s::i ltl::i ketrih11ne&P er s ... 7 /2 1/?004