Obituary of Maria Tarabocchia

Tarabocchia, Maria (nee: Picinic), age 85, of Barnegat, formerly of Rutherford, passed peacefully surrounded by her family on August 17, 2022.  Born in Susak, Croatia she immigrated to the United States in 1961.  A model mother whose first priority was her family while working as an independent seamstress.

Maria was a devout Catholic and prayed the rosary daily. She was a member of the Croatian Rosary Society. She dedicated one hour a month for devotional prayer to Our Blessed Mother. She was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Barnegat.

Maria had a beautiful voice and loved to entertain, she was always the life of the party, singing in harmony with her husband. Maria loved to cook and bake, creating elaborate spreads at parties, especially at Christmas time. A woman full of life, known for her generosity, she was well traveled, enjoyed many family cruises and was known to frequent Atlantic City.

Beloved wife of 63 years of the late Antonio. Devoted mother of Angie Varina and her husband Dave, Stella Mirkovich and her husband John, Antonio "Tony" Tarabocchia, Jr. and his wife Lisa, and Dina Mattessich and her husband Dino.  Cherished Nona of Randy and his wife Kristen, Kristel, Tyler, Jonathan and his wife Jessica, Nicole, Antonio III, Austin, Julia, Olivia, Mike and his wife Missy, Greg and his wife Kara, and Jessica. Adored great grandmother of Mila, Ivan, Rylan, Ayla, Sayler, Capri, Jett and Tripp. Dear sister to the late John Picinic and his wife Maria. Dear sister-in-law to Nikolina Kolanovic and her husband Zdenko.

The family will receive their friends on Sunday 3-7 pm at the Frank A. Patti and Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home 327 Main Street "opposite the Fort Lee Library".  The funeral will leave Monday at 10:30 AM for the celebration of her funeral mass in Madonna R.C. Church on The Hill at 11:00 AM.