| Notes |
- 'Anica' as she was known to her family and many friends, was born in Omisalj, Otok Krk, Croatia, the oldest of four surviving children born to Dinka Sucic and Nikola Feretic. Despite growing up during World War II, Ann had very fond memories of being with her family, friends and neighbors, as well as her time at secondary school in Krk with the camaraderie of her friends. After her father passed away from mortal wounds sustained during the D-Day invasion in Normandy, the family set sail and immigrated to the United States, landing at Ellis Island, starting a new life in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City.
Ann and her family thrived in the close-knit Croatian community in Chelsea. She worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield, married her husband John in 1957 and together they raised their daughters in Astoria, then Bayside, New York. Ann also took great joy in her role as a cherished grandmother to Bobby and Michelle. Her greatest passion was gathering with her family to cook and share meals, creating lasting memories filled with love, laughter and family stories.
After her husband passed away, Ann stayed active and connected with the community by visiting the local library, and by joining the craft club at St. Joshaphat's Roman Catholic Church in Bayside, where she found a strong sense of community and made many friends, ultimately introducing others to the club as well. For several years, they prayed, crafted and sold their creations together, went on many field trips, and truly enjoyed all the activities.
A devoted Catholic, Ann will be remembered as always being strong, motivated, brave, curious, nurturing and selfless.
Ann endured much difficulty walking due to a painful left hip. She was ahead of her time however, in the early 1980's, when she embraced a clean diet, which included vitamins and juicing, and to which she credited keeping her mobile and healthy.
In November 2023, Ann made the brave decision to move to independent assisted living. In her 9 months living there, she regained her confidence walking the wide hallways - from the lobby where she spent many hours reading, doing word search puzzles, taking in the entertainment and activities, to the gym where she went daily, and theater for movies, talks and special events, and when the weather turned warmer, outdoors in the courtyard where she obtained an envious tan.
Ann was preceded in death by her beloved husband John. She is survived by her daughters Miriam and Diane, her son-in-law Bob, her grandson Bobby and his wife Olivia, and her granddaughter Michelle, in addition to her siblings Lucy, Anthony and Stephen, as well as her nieces and nephews, and cousins.
We will truly miss Ann 'Anica', who was a wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She will forever be in our hearts.
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1932 - 2024 (92 years)
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