ANICA MARASOVIC (nee Trojkovic), age 79, of Cliffside Park passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 8, 2023 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Anica was predeceased by her beloved husband Vinko for nearly 35 years, her parents Marin and Lucija (nee Tomasin) Trojkovic, and her infant sister Maria. Devoted mother of daughter Anita (Ken) and son Mario (Valerie) and grandmother of Nina. Also survived by her sisters Lina (Mirko) and Lucija (Fabijan), sister-in-law Nevenka, and many nieces and nephews.

Anica was born was born on June 8, 1944 on the island of Lastovo in Croatia. As beautiful as her birthplace was, she left home to carve out a better life. She boarded a boat with 10 cousins and friends and crossed the Adriatic Sea to Italy where for nine months she lived with a family who owned a restaurant. It was here that she learned how to make her delicious gnocchi.

From there, she migrated to the U.S. and settled in West New York, NJ near her sister, Lina. She was introduced to Vinko, her future husband, by her brother-in-law, Mirko. Anica married her groom at St. Joseph of the Palisades Church in West New York in May 1967 and went on to have their children – Anita and Mario. She and Vinko lived in ‘Little Croatia’, on one of two streets in WNY where – at the time – many Croatians lived. Many special friendships were made while living in WNY. From there, she and Vinko bought a home in Cliffside Park in 1976 where she lived until she began living at Harborage nursing home six years ago.

In addition to being a great cook, Anica was also excellent at sewing and was a seamstress. She worked at Evan-Picone in North Bergen for many years until her retirement.

Regardless of any challenge that came her way, she always had a positive outlook on life. Her zest for life was unmatched. She was a tad mischievous, which added more sparkle to firecracker-like personality. Nothing brought her more joy than to spend time with family, particularly her children and granddaughter. She enjoyed her time with them even more if there was a dinner reservation involved!

Friends may visit the family from 4 – 8 PM on Friday, July 14 at Konopka Funeral Home at 9046 Palisade Avenue, North Bergen, NJ. Funeral services will be held at 9 AM on Saturday, July 15t at the funeral home then to Our Lady of Grace Church, 395 Delano Place, Fairview, NJ where at 10 AM a funeral Mass will be celebrated.

Interment will be at Fairview Mausoleum, 501 Bergenwood Road, Fairview, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Anica’s name are asked to consider two possible ways to honor her memory. First, please consider blessing others by donating blood at your local blood bank if you are able. Second, because of her compassion for veterans, please consider giving to Wounded Warrior Project, which was a charity close to her heart.