Vesna G Sutija
Visitation:
Thursday
May 25, 2023
4 PM to 7 PM
Location:
John Krtil Funeral Home
1297 1st Ave
New York, NY 10021
Funeral Mass
May 26, 2023
10 AM
Location:
Our Lady Of Good Counsel
230 E90th St
New York, NY 10128
Visitation:
Thursday
May 25, 2023
4 PM to 7 PM
Location:
John Krtil Funeral Home
1297 1st Ave
New York, NY 10021
Funeral Mass
May 26, 2023
10 AM
Location:
Our Lady Of Good Counsel
230 E90th St
New York, NY 10128
Vesna G. Sutija, PhD
March 22, 1939 – May 14, 2023
Vesna Grudzinski Sutija passed away Sunday, May 14th, after a long illness, having been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2015.
Vesna was born in Prelog, Yugoslavia, the daughter of Dr. Alexander Grudzinski, a medical doctor and surgeon, and his wife Mathilde née Vindis. She grew up in Varazdin, where her father was head of the local children’s clinic, and was an accomplished athlete, winning third place in high jump at the 1956 Croatian Junior Track & Field championships. Together with her parents and younger sister Tanya, Vesna emigrated to the US in August 1958. Just over a year later, she matriculated at NYU and finished her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in English in 1962, the same year that she married and gave birth to her son, Davor.
She started graduate work in Psychology soon thereafter, but had a five year hiatus, while she lived in Venezuela and Chile, where her husband George Sutija worked for the Ford Foundation. In Venezuela, she did research with Gunnar Svaetichin, working on intercellular recordings from retinal neurons, a field she would pursue later in her scientific career. On returning to the US, she completed her PhD at NYU in 1975, and continued working in neurophysiology during three separate post-doctoral appointments, at Bascom-Palmer Eye Institute, the University of Miami, and at Hunter College. In 1984, Dr. Sutija was appointed Assistant Research Professor at SUNY College of Optometry and promoted to a tenure-track position in 1988.
Her passion was always vision research and she got the greatest joy out of teaching students and imbuing them with her love of the subject. After she left the field, she became Director of Research at NJ Medical Center, and for nine years at Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, a teaching hospital where she had joint appointments in the Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics/Gynechology.
Vesna had a keen interest in literature and the theatre, regularly attending readings at the 92NY’s Unterberg Poetry Center and performances at Lincoln Center Theater. She was a published poet and the author of a semi-biographical novel, Costly Illusions, which was published after her retirement. In Miami, she sang in the choral ensemble at the University of Miami, appearing with the choir at Carnegie Hall.
She loved being surrounded by her friends, family, and co-workers, and often threw dinner parties, which combined home-cooked Croatian food with stimulating intellectual discussions.
She is survived by her son Davor Sutija, her daughter-in-law Unni Byrkjeland, her sister Tanya Bruck, her niece Natasha Bruck, and three grandchildren, Karina, Astrid, and Henrik Sutija.
A viewing will be held at John Krtil Funeral Home, 1297 1st Avenue, from 4pm-7pm, on Thursday, May 25th 2023, followed by a funeral mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Roman Catholic Church, 230 E. 90th Street, at 10am on Friday May 26th, 2023.
New Title
IN MEMORY Nestor Benjamin Zapata Passed Jan 15, 2026 Born June 28,1932 Resided Nyc, NY Nestor Benjamin Zapata went home to the Risen Jesus on Jan 15, 2026 at age 93. Nestor was born to Nestor Zapata Sandoval and Anita Vinck on June 28, 1932 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. As a Child, He excelled in school, theater and sports. With leading roles in plays at George Washington H.S. IN Washington Heights, NYC. He was also an avid baseball and basketball player. He loved playing golf with his friends. He also was an excellent ice skater that few PR's can do. Nestor met his 1st wife, Connie at a church dance. They married two years later and went on to have four children, Nestor, Michael, Laura and Christina. Also many Grandchildren as well Great-Grandchildren He later met his current wife, Grace and married Nov 5, 1999. They loved going to meetings to celebrate the gift of sobriety. As well as helping many people along the journey. They also enjoyed going to Lincoln Center, Radio City and Broadway. Seeing Hamilton twice! They acquired an incredible taste for NYC Cuisine. In addition to being a dedicated father, Nestor also loved the NY Yankees and NY Giants, also staying active in AA & holding various roles at the church. He also will be remembered for umpiring little league on Roosevelt Island. He held an unwavering faith in God, which He shared with those who surrounded him.
Viewing Thursday December 18th, 2025 9:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. Funeral Mass Church of St. Monica 413 East 79th Street New York, NY 10075 Thursday December 18th, 2025 10:00 A.M. Private Cremation In Lieu of Flowers Donate to St. Jude https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html
Donna M. Hamilton, a beloved mother, was born on December 27, 1943 in Kansas City, MO and peacefully passed away in the early evening of October 31, 2025. Donna’s faith guided her outlook to motherhood and to life. Donna grew up throughout the state of Texas. After graduating high school, her family moved to Washington, D. C. She eventually met and later married Vernon Hamilton (1930-2014); they had three children. Donna enjoyed participating in her church's events, embroidery, watching Hallmark movies, and most of all being with her family and friends. She had a beautiful smile and a kind, friendly personality that was noticed by everyone. Donna retired from New York Presbyterian Hospital after working as a Physician’s Assistant for over 35 years. She worked in the ambulatory surgery and plastic surgery departments, but her passion was in plastic surgery. Donna was phenomenal and highly respected in her field and often would be called upon to help the student physicians. Donna is survived by her three children: Scott, Melody, and Todd, an older brother, John Scott, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandson, Hamilton, who lived nearby, was often at her apartment visiting, going to the store for her when it became too difficult, or trying to keep her spirit up. Donna was loving, kind, charming, and unforgettable. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and she will continue to inspire us all. Two quotes that our mother always told us (and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren): “treat others the way you wanted to be treated” and “do not compare yourself to others because for always there will be greater and lesser persons than you.”