Obituary of Mary O. Nacinovich

Mary O. Nacinovich, age 91, of Brooklyn passed away Monday, May 1, 2017. Mrs. Nacinovich was born July 20, 1925 in New York, NY. She is the daughter of the late Anthony and the late Katerine (Kazimirovich) Persich. Beloved wife of the late Mario Nacinovich. Loving mother of Bruno Nacinovich (Theodora), Sergio Nacinovich (the late Linda) and Sandra Spinelli (David). Cherished grandmother of Anthony, Christopher, Kerry, Diane, Lori, Connor, Kayla and Carly. Dear great grandmother of Shawn, Anthony, Mia, Sophia, Michael and Maya.

During the Great Depression, Mary at the tender age of 7, returned to her father's homeland of Istria, Croatia.  Her family worked hard to raise their own animals and grow their own food.  It was at a dance in this small village in 1943, that the lovely Mary met her husband to be Anthony.  Shortly thereafter they married, for he was joining the Partisan Army and leaving to fight against the Germans.

In 1954, Mary being the only US citizen, fled communism on her own to make a better life for her family. While working hard as a chambermaid for a wealthy 5th Avenue family for 5 years, Mary sent money to her husband and two children in what was then Yugoslavia.  Thankfully years later, Mary made arrangements to have her family join her in America.  She commuted to Clifton, NJ working at America Book Bindery, but later became an operator for the telephone company where she worked for over 20 years.  The Nacinovich family later moved to Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn where Mary lived until she retired from the telephone company.

Mary was a world traveler and experienced every aspect of the places she visited.  She enjoyed many motor coach trips throughout Europe and Mexico as well as many cruises through Alaska, the Caribbean, and European waters.  Like many of her generation, she surrounded herself with family and friends around the dinner table to offer homemade cooking such as bread, pasta, pierogi, ravioli, and gnocchi.

Reposing Thursday, May 4 from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM at Marine Park Funeral Home.

Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:30 am on Friday, May 5 at Our Lady of Grace R.C. Church, Brooklyn, NY. Burial to follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale, NY.

Please see SERVICE INFORMATION for details and directions.

Please share this memorial page via Facebook and other social media outlets so we may inform those who wish to know of Mary's passing and the funeral information. Please take advantage of the condolence tab if you are unable to attend or merely wish to express your love and grief over Mary's passing.