Dagmar Binovec

Dagmar Binovec (née Tusl), 92, passed away on Sunday, October 26, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Throughout her long and full life, Dagmar was known for her honesty, kindness, practicality, her love for history and her playful sense of humour. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to her family and friends and lived by an enduring ethic of duty and compassion for others.

Born on November 7, 1932, in Český Krumlov, Czechoslovakia, to Josef and Emma Tusl, Dagmar spent her early years on the family farm with her sisters, Irene (Furbacher) and Hana (Fryml). Her childhood was marked by hard work, simple joys, and strong family connections.

Following the communist takeover, the family fled their homeland, spending two years in refugee camps across Europe before settling in Montreal, Canada, in 1950. It was there that Dagmar met her future husband, Tomas Binovec. Their interest in each other grew into greater interest, though life took them temporarily in different directions when Tomas moved to California in search of new adventures. Through letters and the rekindling of old connections, their romance endured across the miles, eventually leading to a marriage in Montreal in 1962. The couple soon made their home in San Francisco.

Dagmar and Tomas welcomed two daughters, Paula and Karla, and together they built a home filled with warmth, laughter, and the comforting aromas of home-cooked meals. The family shared a love of travel and the outdoors, exploring countless state and national parks along the West Coast. In 1972, a new opportunity brought them to Spartanburg, where they quickly put down roots and became part of the community.

A devoted mother and homemaker, Dagmar created a welcoming space for family and friends alike. She and Tomas were passionate cooks and bakers who took great pride in their Czech heritage, delighting others with their good food and their generous hospitality. Practical and creative, Dagmar enjoyed writing, sewing, knitting, and preserving, canning and freezing fruits and vegetables from their garden and their orchard in Campobello. She was also an enthusiastic supporter of the arts and charities from The Little Theatre, the Spartanburg Philharmonic, to several animal and conservation charities.

When her daughters were grown, Dagmar began a rewarding career in real estate, first with Lesesne Smith, Century 21, and then Reed & Young Realty. After retirement, she and Tomas continued their shared passion for travel, exploring beautiful places throughout North America and abroad, an interest that stayed with her throughout her life.

The church community and her faith was a guiding force for Dagmar. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where she volunteered with Mobile Meals, participated in Bible studies, attended services, and contributed to the church writing group, sharing stories from her remarkable life.

In her later years, Dagmar made her home at Summit Hills, where she received kind and attentive care and was surrounded by the love of family and friends. We are especially grateful to her caregiver, turned part of the family, Michele Griffin, who brightened her days with companionship and laughter. She often expressed deep gratitude and great appreciation for the life she had lived and for the people who had touched it.

Dagmar was predeceased by her beloved husband, Tomas (2006), her daughter Paula (1994), and her sisters, Irene (2011) and Hana (2020). She is survived by her devoted daughter, Karla Austrich of Toronto, Canada, and her favourite granddaughter, Emily Tureck of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and their families.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mobile Meals of Spartanburg at Mobile Meals Spartanburg - Support Those in Need or the National Park Foundation at Make A Gift - National Park Foundation. This will reflect her compassion and enduring love of nature conservancy.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, November 3, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church Chapel, 393 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302, conducted by the Rev. Leslie Lany Denny. The family will receive friends following the service in the church Fellowship Hall.

Floyd's North Church Street