Obituary of Mary Jane Yaksich

Mary Jane Yaksich of Livingston, NJ, formerly of Jackson, NJ, died at St. Barnabas Hospital on March 7, 2016, with her three daughters at her side. She was born in Pittsburgh, PA to Steven and Bertha (Wachter) Russell. She graduated from Shaler High School and became a secretary with Pittsburgh Plate Glass. She married Sam Yaksich in 1956. His Navy assignments took them to California and Florida before they settled in Jackson, NJ, where she devoted herself to raising their three daughters. Mary Jane later worked as a merchandiser in the post exchange system for what is now Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. She was a parishioner at St. Anthony Claret, later the Church of St. Monica. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Mary Jane is survived by her daughters, Karen Ann Kurlander (Gregory) of Morristown, NJ, Marcia Kasperowicz (Joseph) of Morrisville, PA, and Leesa Anderson (Bryan) of Maplewood, NJ. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Joshua Kasperowicz and India and Beatrice Anderson; her sister, Ruth Snyder; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband of 54 years, Sam Yaksich, and two sisters, Rita Russell and Evelyn Heil. At her request there will be no viewing. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at 10:00 AM at St. Philomena’s Church, 386 S. Livingston Ave, Livingston, NJ 07039. Interment at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ is private. Arrangements are under the care of Dangler Funeral Home, Morris Plains, NJ 07950.