Maria (Marica) Dessanti

Maria (Marica) Dessanti, 88, resident of Milford, NH passed away on May 9, 2023 in her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on December 24, 1934 in Betina, Croatia. A daughter of the late Dragutin and Antica (Ferara) Sladic. Maria, was predeceased by her loving husband, John (Giovanni) Dessanti in 2021. In addition, she was preceded in death by her sibligs Branko Sladic, Peter Sladic, Ivo Sladic and Neda Bosna.

Maria is survived by two sons, Giglio Dessanti of Bedford, NH and Aleks Dessanti and his wife Lee of Bedford, NH; five grandchildren, Alexander Dessanti and wife Ingrid, Brendan Dessanti, David Dessanti and wife Alicia, Megan Dessanti, and Nicholas Dessanti; three great grandchildren, Elena Dessanti, Isabella Dessanti and Mateo Dessanti.

She married John (Giovanni) Dessanti at the church of sv. Alojzije in Zbisina, Croatia in 1953. After marriage she moved to Cres, Croatia, and they started a family. She was an exceptional wife and mother and cared deeply for her family, friends and neighbors.

Maria and John with their young sons, in search of a better life with more freedom, left the island of Cres, Croatia (at the time Yugoslavia) in 1966 and after spending time in refugee camps in Italy, emigrated to the USA, arriving in New York City on February 6, 1967. The family lived in the Bronx. She worked many years in food services at Eastchester Park Nursing Home.

The family moved to Milford, NH in 1980, where they both enjoyed caring for an expansive vegetable garden and fruit trees. In addition, Maria worked several years part time in food services at Crestwood Nursing Home in Milford, NH.

She truly enjoyed cooking and baking for family, friends and neighbors. She thought of her family first and always made them the priority. She was a loving mother and wife and will be greatly missed by all. The angels are singing and she is now with her beloved husband John, who she adored.

SERVICES: A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday May 12, 2023 at 1:00 PM in the St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 190 Meetinghouse Rd, Bedford, NH. Burial will follow in the Bedford Center Cemetery, Bedford, NH.