Vesna Blaskovic

Vesna Blaskovic (Markulin), 61, of Mesa, AZ, originally of Velika Gorica, Croatia, passed away due to cancer on Thursday, June 29th, 2023. Vesna was born on March 12, 1962, in Velika Gorica, Croatia. Daughter to Nikola Markulin and Ana Markulin (Pavisic).

Vesna was an energetic and spirited young child. She would spend many hours playing outside and was always dedicated to caring for her family. She excelled as a student with excellent grades, getting into the country's most challenging mathematics high school and later pursuing an economics degree at the University of Zagreb.

Vesna was always a beautiful and elegant woman. Her signature blonde bob and bangs stayed with her throughout the years. She would always look younger than she was and would always be easily recognizable to anyone who had met her throughout the years. She was always styled and well put together. Vesna would turn heads wherever she would go. At 19, she met her future husband, Branko Blaskovic, who was working as a photographer when they met. They married and then had her eldest son Hrvoje in Croatia. In the following years, they relocated to the United States, where she gave birth to her daughter Lucia and later her youngest son Branimir. Vesna and Branko enjoyed traveling and discovering new destinations. They traveled and explored Croatia, the United States, and Canada. In Vesna's later years, she settled in Arizona to be closer to her children and grandchild.

Vesna had a charming and outgoing demeanor, making long-lasting friends wherever she went. Her warming and comforting energy would make everyone around her feel welcomed and at ease. Her jokes would keep you laughing all day. No one would ever leave her home without being fed well and sent home with even more amazing food. Many spoke about her cooking and baking skills, even for years after they had met her.

Vesna was born to be a mother, she had an intuitive love and dedication for all her children that was unmatched. There was never a doubt about where her priorities and time were spent. There was no greater joy to her than caring for children and giving them love. She consistently worked in daycares and teaching jobs, earning the love of all the children and families she met. Spending time with her grandson Arlo made her heart light up. They were the best of friends, enjoying playtime and laughter together.

Her Catholic faith was a huge part of her life. She would never miss a mass and always had a prayer at the ready. She enjoyed painting, photography, and Croatian folk music. Her favorite place in the world was the Croatian coastline. She would speak fondly of memories spent there during her childhood and had always hoped to be able to return one day.

Vesna will be dearly missed by many. She is leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and fond memories.

Survivors include her children, Hrvoje Blaskovic of Perth, Australia, Lucia (and child Arlo) Alpers of Mesa, Arizona, and Branimir Blaskovic of Chandler, Arizona; her husband Branko Blaskovic of Velika Gorica, Croatia; her daughter-in-law Lina Blaskovic of Chandler, Arizona; Karl Cardenas of Tempe, Arizona; her mother Ana Markulin, brothers Darko (Lucana and children Nikola and Ivan) Markulin and Drazen (Irena and children Dora and Jana) Markulin all of Velika Gorica, Croatia; along with many other of her loving family and friends.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mariposagardens.com for the Blaskovic family.