On Friday, November 28, 2025, our caring, selfless, gracious Stevka (Cica) Melentijevic was taken by angels at age 87 and left us with everlasting memories. She was a wonderful and devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.

Stevka, or "Cica" as everybody called her, was born on April 29, 1938, in Kolari, Serbia, in former Yugoslavia. She survived WWII and lived through the shared hardship of painstakingly rebuilding the country. She graduated Minor Matura with honors in Smederevo on June 20th, 1953, and as a graduation celebration, went to see the movie "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein". She always remembered that, even when her memory was failing. She was a post office employee her entire career and retired in 1991 because of lung problems, which are ultimately what contributed to her death 35 years later.

For 52 years, she was happily married to Ranko Melentijevic, who passed away in 2011. She was a mother, sister, aunt, and friend, but her favorite title was that of "Nana" to her treasured grandchildren, Ilija and Ana. She even considered Ana's husband, Connor, to be one of her own. Nothing was too difficult for her when it came to her grandchildren, from making a fresh breakfast early in the morning to making dessert at 11 pm.

One thing she always did for her family was spilling water behind them for every trip, exam, or new beginning. According to Serbian belief, spilling water for a person brings good luck, so their journey "flows as easily as water". She did this every morning when they went to school, took an exam in college, interviewed for a job, joined the army, etc. For every big moment, she was there to support.

She did not like washing machines; she preferred hand washing everything, and she was an ironing artist. She also had a green thumb; whatever she planted blossomed and bloomed. But above all, she had unlimited goodness and generosity for everyone. From a stray cat on our patio to an unknown plane passenger to whom she promised help, transferring at Newark airport.

"Every memory I have of my godmother has been positive. One of the reasons I wished for her to return to Serbia was because I needed and missed her kindness and goodness."

A final farewell for Cica will be held on Sunday, December 7th, 2025, from 2 pm to 5 pm at Leonard and Lee Funeral Home, 301 East Blancke Street, Linden, NJ, 07036. Light refreshments and Turkish coffee (her favorite) will be served, and a Serbian Orthodox mass will be performed at 3:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her memory to the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Elizabeth, NJ. Donations can be made via PayPal to st.george.elizabeth.nj.church@gmail.com or via check.

Stevka (Cica) Melentijevic did not die; she lived!