Živka Luketić

Luketić, Živka (n. Crnošija), 88, of Bethpage, passed away on July 10, 2024. Beloved wife of Mike†, Beloved mother of Michael, Joseph and Marian. Cherished mother in law of Daniel Mrakovčić. Loving grandmother to Daniela Kristina. Cherished sister of Boris Crnosija, Mira Milin and Sloboda Visich†.

Zivka was born in Zadar, Croatia on December 10, 1935, to Nikoleta (n. Celent) and Vice Crnošija and emigrated to the United States as a young woman. Here at a Croatian picnic, she met Mate Luketić† and married him on May 2, 1965. They were married almost 57 years and raised three children together. Živka was the heart of the family. She was tireless and gave everything for her family. She enjoyed going fishing at Sunken Meadow and Oyster Bay beaches and no one did it better, catching more snappers than those around her using only a spool of fishing line that branched off into four hooks. She loved to tend to her garden starting in early spring, with a bountiful harvest all summer and fall which she happily shared with family and friends. Her evenings were devoted to knitting and she bestowed upon those she loved her magnificent creations of everything from socks to blankets. She worked very hard during her lifetime, beginning at a very young age as her beloved father’s literal right hand, working in the fields, vineyards and olive groves as well as fishing with him. When she left her village she worked in factories, restaurants, hospital kitchens and as a seamstress. As a seamstress she took great pride in creating liturgical vestments to be worn by priests. She loved attending Croatian church, especially at Christmas time, when she enjoyed going to sing before mass. She was overjoyed by the arrival of her granddaughter and would dote on her constantly and worry about her well being as a loving Nona would. She will remain forever in our hearts.

The family will receive visitors Sunday, July 14, 2024, 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Arthur F. White Funeral Home, Inc., 234 Broadway, Bethpage. Funeral Mass Monday, July 15, 2024, 10 am, at St. Martin of Tours RC Church. Internment following at St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY. If you would prefer, donations in Živka’s memory can be made in lieu of flowers, to the Alzheimer’s Association; Živka Luketić Tribute Page, to help find a cure for the disease that stole her life away from her, and her away from us, years too soon.