Born Tonica Lolic on February 9, 1925 on a small Adriatic island called Krk in Croatia, she was one of 6 children, 2 brothers and 4 sisters. Her mother was a homemaker and her father a ship-builder. She knew at an early age that she wanted to be a seamstress and she started her apprenticeship very young. She married Cezar Malesic on October 1, 1947 and had a daughter, Marica. Her husband fled communist Yugoslavia in 1957 and she and her daughter stayed behind and lived with her father-in-law and took care of him. In February 1961, she emigrated to the United States where she was reunited with her husband. Arriving in New York City on the SS Constitution, she was greeted by 12 inches of snow. The change in culture and environment took a while to adjust to. Soon after her arrival she started work in a clothing factory on piece work. She was paid by the number of pieces she sewed. In order to earn decent money she had to work quickly. During her career she worked for a company that was commissioned to make drapes for the White House. She was personally involved in the project and very proud of her accomplishment. She worked full time, took care of the house and always had a home-cooked meal waiting for the family at dinner time. She attended English classes at night and went to driving school, got her license and proceeded to teach her husband and daughter how to drive. She loved celebrating Easter and Christmas and continued her tradition of baking special cakes and cookies. She and her husband worked hard and saved enough money to buy a new two-family house, in which they lived until 2004. She very much enjoyed gardening, socializing, reading and traveling. She was very dedicated to her family. She and her husband sponsored her sister and brother, along with their families to come to the United States. She had one granddaughter, named Susan, whom she loved with all her heart. They spent many happy hours playing games and enjoying each other’s company. Susan was embedded in her heart and the love of her life. Her life was surrounded by the Croatian community, which was sizeable in New York City. She continued to sew beautiful outfits for many years. She and her husband moved to McKinney to be near their daughter and her family. They bought a house and she was very happy decorating it and enjoyed living in Texas very much. Some of her happiest times were spent with her daughter’s friends who embraced her and accepted her as one of “the girls”. She loved going with them to the Newcomers’ Club meetings and functions. She loved clothes and dressing for these and all occasions. They all enjoyed lunches out and visiting with one another, sharing “moments of joy”. After a few years, her health declined. Eventually she and her husband moved to Stonefield Assisted Living and Memory Care. Mama - Thank you for taking such good care of us. For all the beautiful outfits you sewed for me throughout the years, that made me feel so special. For your love and devotion. For your nurturing ways and your unselfish heart. For your wisdom and guidance. For the sacrifices you have made along the way, for being there when I needed a helping hand. She is survived by husband, Cezar; daughter, Margie McGuire and husband, Brian; granddaughter, Susan McGuire and husband, Dinesh Kumar; and sister, Danica Jakominic. The family will receive friends for a visitation on Tuesday, beginning at 6:00 p.m., at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home. A rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. A mass of christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 1, 2010, at the St. Gabriel the Arch Angel Catholic Community Church. The graveside service will follow the service at 1:00 p.m., at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Rowlett, Texas. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Mother’s Love By Helen Steiner Rice: Her love is like an island In life’s ocean, vast and wide, A peaceful, quiet shelter From the wind, and rain and tide. ‘Tis bound on the north by Hope By patience on the west, By tender counsel on the south And on the east by rest. Above it like a beacon light Shine faith, and truth and prayer; And through the changing scenes of life, I find a haven there. With a broken heart I say goodbye. You will always be with me. All my love, Your daughter, Marica