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

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

July 24, 2025
John Q Lantry. October 21, 1934 – July 21, 2025 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of John Q. Lantry on July 21, after a battle with pneumonia. John was born in Malone NY, the youngest of 5 children of Michael and Mary Lantry of Hogansburg, NY. John’s chosen profession was teaching, he became public school teacher out of college and was the long time principal of Round Hill Elementary School in Washingtonville, N.Y. until he retired. His enthusiasm and love of teaching endeared him to generations of students and the teachers who worked with him and became his lifelong friends. As a theater and opera lover, he moved to New York City after he retired, where he attended musicals and Broadway performances whenever he could. He was also a master Bridge player, and he loved to travel and expand his horizons. He often spoke about his trip to China as one of the high points of his travels. John was a devoted member of the Catholic Church, and worked for many years at St. Jean Batiste Church, he also taught Bible studies as well as English as a Second Language. He also often spoke of his fondness for the time he was able to spend at the Linwood Spiritual Center in upstate New York. John is survived by his niece and nephews, their families, and leaves behind many close friends. We will remember his generosity, his love of life, his laughter, and his devotion. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday August 1, 2025, at 10 am, at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 980 Park Ave. New York, N.Y.
July 10, 2025
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In Loving Memory We are saddened to share that our beloved mother passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 8th. Born in 1942 in the countryside of southern Sweden, she was the daughter of a Swedish farmer and the eldest of three sisters. After serving in the Swedish military, she set out to see the world—first London, then Los Angeles, and finally New York, where she met her husband and raised her children. She is survived by her son, Peter Orphanos, and his wife, Nicole Orphanos; her grandchildren, Katherine and Peter Orphanos, all of New York; and her daughter, Anne Marie. She lived with quiet strength, deep patience, and an unwavering love for her family. After the passing of her husband four years ago, she and her son grew even closer, sharing time and memories that will always be cherished. She will be remembered for her resilience, warmth, and the love she gave to all who knew her.  A wake will be held Tuesday, July 16th from 6 to 8 p.m. at John Krtil Funeral Home, 70th Street and 1st Avenue. Per her wishes, there will be no formal service.
July 10, 2025
June 6, 2025
Terrence “Terry” Gibbons, 58, passed away at home, surrounded by family and friends on June 5 after a brief battle with brain cancer. Terry was born in Brooklyn and raised in Travis, Staten Island. He attended Moore Catholic and Susan Wagner high schools. Terry enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served aboard the U.S.S. Constellation CV-64 as a Hull Technician (Naval Firefighter) from 1984-1987. Following an honorable discharge, he continued his military career in the Navy Reserve. He remained a proud patriot throughout his life. He was an active member of American Legion Post 347 Lady Lake, FL. In 1988 Terry began working as a plumber at NY Presbyterian Hospital. In his early years at the hospital Terry earned the Good Samaritan Award. His sharp mind and attention to detail enabled him to help the hospital through historic events including 9-11, major blackouts, Super Storm Sandy, various hurricanes and everyday emergencies. He was a frontline worker through the Covid-19 pandemic. Terry spent 36 years as the “Go-To Guy” taking care of “his” hospital. An avid outdoorsman, Terry spent most weekends off the grid camping and hiking in the mountains. He enjoyed bike riding, scuba diving and skydiving. Over the years, he and his wife Linda traveled extensively to places including Costa Rica, Cuba, Israel, Tanzania, Galápagos Islands and Mexico. They also spent many vacations hiking various parts of the U.S. including three trips to the Grand Canyon. His love for his Irish heritage led him to obtain his Irish citizenship in 2018. One of Terry’s greatest achievements came in 2023 when he summited Mount Kilimanjaro. Terry will be remembered for his love for Linda and his family. His humor, incredibly quick wit and storytelling abilities will surely be missed. He is predeceased by his parents, John & Meg Gibbons. He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Linda, his son Kevin Gibbons-Mullen, his three sisters: Jennifer, Joann & Judith, his Mother-in-Law, Dellene, numerous sisters and brothers-in-law and his many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to either- The Wounded Warrior Project. www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org Or Central Park Conservancy “Adopt-a-Bench” click link http://support.centralparknyc.org/goto/TerryGibbons .
June 5, 2025
Herbert Saalfeld passed away peacefully on June 5th, 2025 at the age of 39. Born on February 5th, 1986 Herbert was the cherished son of Julia Toro and Harold Saalfeld. He is survived by his sister, Juliandra Garcia, and brother in law, Dean Barbier. He was the beloved uncle to Juliet Noble, Jaden Barbier, and Jax Barbier. Herbert will be dearly missed but forever remembered for the love he had for his family.
June 2, 2025
Please no Flowers, Plants, or Monetary Donations Prayers, good wishes, and mass cards are welcome
May 22, 2025
Obituary for Myrtle Beatrice Goodwin Myrtle Beatrice Goodwin , RN, PhD (Bea), aged 92, of New York City, passed away peacefully on May 21 in New York City. She was born on December 15, 1932, in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Goodwin earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University and went on to complete her Master’s and PhD at New York University. With a profound dedication to nursing education, she became a professor and later served as Dean of Nursing at CUNY Lehman College, where she inspired generations of nursing students and helped shape the future of the profession. Her career included work with the National League for Nursing, where she served as a member of the Board of Review for Baccalaureate and Graduate Education, through which she influenced national standards for nursing education. In 1973, as a consultant for the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), she helped establish and develop the first nursing and midwifery education program at the Catholic University in Chile, South America. After her retirement in 1998, she was invited to return to NYU’s College of Nursing as a professor ad honorem, where she had the opportunity to lead a Latin American project supporting the development of nursing research and education in nearly eight countries across Central and South America—a mission she continued until 2019. Dr. Goodwin also distinguished herself through military service, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force Nurse Corps and the Air National Guard, where she served from 1960 to 1982. As a flight nurse and Chief Nurse of the Air Evacuation Unit, she participated in critical missions during the Vietnam War, including medical evacuations for wounded American soldiers in remote and high-risk environments. Her work exemplified her lifelong commitment to care, both in practice and education. She was one of the founders and first editors of IMAGE, known today as The Journal of Nursing Scholarship. Dr. Goodwin believed deeply in nursing as a human science. Compassion, respect for human beings, justice, freedom, and service were central to her life. She loved birds and was a devoted reader and quiet writer. In her Letter to Dear Friends on September 11, 2001, she wrote: “…To see the smoke still rising from the hole in a skyline we all loved evokes a stillness in your soul… a stillness of profound sadness; a dam of tears held back by fierce resolve; a grief not only for the moment but for humankind and its loss of innocence, an aching desire to comfort the children who have lost parents, the parents who have lost sons and daughters, the spouses who have lost mates. It is difficult to awaken from the stillness, to what now seems trivial—yet, perhaps, important; useless—yet, perhaps, worthwhile.” She closed: “…Finally, we can take comfort in the realization that the tremendous good of the many has once again outweighed the tremendous evil of a few. The scale is tipped toward good. Peace and love. — Bea” Global health became her passion. A new vision of care and humanity inspired her spirit. From 2006 to 2018, she was a member and Chair of the NGO Health Committee, which holds Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations and is associated with the Department of Public Information of the UN. She influenced and created deeper programs addressing the imperative for students and practicing health professionals to become aware of the health needs of developing and least-developed countries and the interconnectedness of all nations. Dr. Goodwin will live on in the memories of friends, colleagues, former students, fellow nurses and family members, along with many dear ones who remember her as a compassionate leader, a human advocate, and a visionary in the field of nursing. A funeral service will be held on June 5 from 10:00–11:30 AM at John Krtil Funeral Home, 1297 First Avenue (at 70th Street), New York, NY. Burial will follow at 1:00 PM at Woodlawn Cemetery, 4199 Webster Avenue, Bronx, NY — Prospect Lot 20144, Section 57. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dr. Goodwin’s honor to the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society, in support of nursing education fellowships.
By 7016251691 May 22, 2025
In Loving Memory of Theresa Reilly Virga January 14, 1930 – May 19, 2025 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt, Terry, who departed this life peacefully on May 19, 2025. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sam; her cherished children, Anthony, Arleen, and Rosario; and her dear brothers, Frank, Jack, and George. While her loss leaves a deep void, we take comfort in knowing she is reunited with them in eternal peace. She is survived by her devoted daughter, Theresa, and her husband, Michael Cleary; and her loving son, John, and his wife, Arlene Virga. Her greatest joy came from her family, and she leaves behind a legacy of love through her grandchildren: Theresa Perkin (Tony), Nicole Cleary, AJ Virga (Caroline), Andrew Virga (Rachel), Michael Virga (Ben), Stephen O’Neill (Kate), Daniel O’Neill, Jamie O’Neill (Claire), and Shayna Cole (Mike). She was a proud great-grandmother to Elizabeth, William, Nicolas, Nathan, Henry, Vivian, and Casey. Each of them brought a special light into her life. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Antoinette, and many beloved nieces and nephews, whose lives she touched with warmth, laughter, and unwavering love. Terry also leaves behind many dear friends and extended family, each of whom held a special place in her heart. Some have preceded her in death, and others remain to cherish her memory. She treasured lifelong bonds, old friends who shared her history, new friends who brought fresh light, and extended family who felt like her own. Their companionship, laughter, and steady presence were a constant source of joy. Her friendships were a beautiful reflection of the warmth, loyalty, and kindness she gave so freely to others. Terry will be remembered for her boundless generosity, kindness, humor, feistiness, and deep devotion to her family. She filled every room with laughter, her kitchen was always open, and her love was a steady source of comfort to all who knew her. She leaves behind a family bound together by her enduring spirit, countless memories, and the values she instilled in each generation. She was, and always will be, the world’s best Grammy. She will be missed dearly, loved always, and remembered forever. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in memory of Theresa Virga to one of the following organizations that reflect her values and life: • Wounded Warrior Project – www.woundedwarriorproject.org • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – www.nami.org • St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – www.stjude.org