Obituary of Dinka Belanich

Dinka Belanich of Fairview, NJ, passed away peacefully at the age of 96, on July 4, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Dinka was born in Ilovik, Croatia on October 5, 1927 to Šime & Marija Budinić. She was married on October 27, 1947 to Anton (Tony) Belanic. Together they had three children, Giordano, Maria, and Daria. They lived in Croatia, until they fled communism to pursue religious freedom and the American dream. On April 23, 1963 the family arrived in America and were welcomed by family members in Jackson Heights, NY. Shortly thereafter they moved to New Jersey where Dinka began working as a seamstress. With humble means they made a warm and loving home. Weekends were filled with faith and family. A devout Catholic, Dinka always attended Sunday Mass with her family as well as other church functions and opportunities of prayer, especially praying the rosary daily. Saturday nights were for cooking and hosting extended family for dinner and late night music, singing and laughter. They stayed in New Jersey to raise their family until retirement. After retirement Dinka and Tony split their time between Croatia and America. After the passing of her husband in 2004 Dinka remained in America and dedicated each day to serve the poor by volunteering at Croatian Relief Services. During this time she also became a parishioner of Holy Redeemer Parish and attended the Croatian Apostolate of Blessed Alojzije Stepinac at St. John Nepomucene in Guttenberg, NJ. Dinka is now reunited in eternal life with her parents, husband, brother Peter and his wife Lina, and her three infant sisters Josephine, Maria, and Dina. Dinka is survived by her three children, Father Giordano Belanich, Maria, wife of Ljubomir Tomic, and Daria, wife of the late John Baricevic; her sister Gloria, wife of the late Peter Bernich; niece Mary, and nephew Frank and family; her eight grandchildren, Natasha, wife of Anthony DiFeo, Jaksha, husband of Jennifer Tomic, John, husband of Emily Baricevic, Ivan, husband of Margaret Tomic, Steven, husband of Jamie Baricevic, Christina, wife of Joel Peñaloza, Dina, wife of Manuel Esteves & Miranda, wife of Jose Cardoso; and her 26 great grandchildren, Sarah (22), Juliana (21), Daniel (21), Natalia (20), Mary (19), Anthony (18), Ava (17), Samuel (16), Emma (14), Christopher (13), Eliana (13), Noelle (12), Anthony (12), Nicholas (12), Steven (11), Angelina (10), Gianna (10), Sofia (10), Daniela (9), William (8), Alexandra (8), Luke (6), Joseph (6), Gabriela (5), Benjamin (3), and Mariana (1). The family will have a huge void in their lives without her, but blessed that she is now at peace in eternal life with our heavenly Father. Her legacy will continue on for generations through her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. Visitation, in memory of Dinka will take place at the Konopka Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 9th from 5 - 8 PM. Funeral mass will be held at St. Mary’s church at 11 AM, Wednesday the 10th. After mass, we will take Dinka to her final resting place at St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of Flowers, Dinka asked for your prayers which will be her comfort. She lived and believed in the Risen Power of Jesus. Pray, therefore for her soul and for the rest of our family. Also, she worked for the past 30 years for Croatian Relief Services, Inc. helping the poor. Instead of flowers, please consider sending your donation in her memory to: CROATIAN RELIEF SERVICES, INC. P.O. Box 355 Fairview, NJ 07022