Victoria Bogan

She lived in Bayonne for several years, then moved to Bradley Gardens as a child and attended school in Raritan Borough. It was here where she eventually met the love of her life, her future husband of 58 years, Edward Bogan. As teenagers, they met and eventually began dating. Dating was always the source of funny family stories since Vicky was required to bring her younger sister, Inez, along on all dates.

These were troubling times for many families in the area and their families were no exception; slowly recovering from a post-depression period where jobs were scarce and money was tight. Vicky and several of her friends and neighbors decided to join the job market to supplement the family income. Vicky learned manufacturing skills and how to construct electric motors at Kingston-Conley Electric Company. Ed also left school to help support his family. He joined a manufacturing company nearby and learned machinist skills. Ed, Vicky (and Inez) continued to date.

It wasn’t long before the unrest in Europe would affect us at home and, in 1941, this country began gearing up for war. Ed, not seeing a future as a machinist and wanting to do something meaningful, enlisted in the Army. From 1942 to 1944, he was in Europe and Vicky continued working. During this time, they managed to communicate regularly. Vicky moved with her family to a farm in Raritan Township in Hunterdon County, near Flemington. In addition to her manufacturing skills, she was now performing farming duties as well.

When the war ended and Ed returned home, they continued their relationship and on April 12, 1947, they were married in St. Magdaline’s Church in Flemington. Soon, Eddy, the first child came along followed by Jeri a few years later. Ed had developed carpentry skills and was beginning to become a successful contractor.

With two small children, Ed and Vicky moved into a renovated farm building on a neighboring farm, then to an upstairs apartment in Ed’s parents’ home in Roselle, then on to Martinsville to a house that Ed built, to Raritan Township to a house that Ed built on a plot of land purchased from Vicky’s parents. Ed and Vicky lived in Raritan Township for almost twenty years and when Eddy and Jeri had moved on, Ed and Vicky moved to Holland Township to a house that Ed built. They lived there for ten years and then decided to move to Citrus Springs, Florida.

Ed and Vicky enjoyed a comfortable life in retirement and, with the use of a motor home, they travelled to places of interest. On at least one occasion, for an entire month, they travelled cross-country to sightsee and visit relatives. Vicky enjoyed the warm climate and Ed enjoyed playing golf. However, several years later, missing their family, they decided

to move back to New Jersey, where they settled in a retirement community in Whiting. They enjoyed retirement life together and they enjoyed the community. The family was nearby and social calendar was busy.

In 2006, Vicky lost her life’s partner to Alzheimer’s Disease. She stayed in her home in Whiting for another 18 years, living independently. She traveled frequently with Jeri throughout the United States and on one occasion, she travelled to Spain (Madrid and Majorca) with Jeri, Gail, Robin, Karen and Sharon.

Vicky had skills; she was an expert in knitting and crocheting. She was always knitting something for the family; wool caps, sweaters and lap blankets. She made dozens of lap blankets for our veterans. She knitted many family keepsakes such as blankets with the logos of professional sports teams.

She was truly a ceramic artist who gifted handmade treasures to several families and friends; large ceramic Christmas trees and numerous 19-piece large size Nativity sets.

Vicky was an avid reader. She enjoyed games and puzzles that required brain power. She enjoyed Scrabble, Words With Friends, Yahtzee and most card games. In spite of her age, she was sharp, always witty with a good sense of humor and a contagious laugh. She very rarely relied on eyeglasses and she never looked her age.

Vicky is survived by a son and a daughter; Edward Bogan and his wife Gail and Jeri Zielinski and her husband Barry.

She is the cherished grandmother of eight; Robin Bogan, Karen Bayas and her husband Nelson, Sharon Carpenito and her husband Anthony, Adam Yeager and his wife Terri, Paul Zielinski and his wife Ashley, Jaclyn Zielinski and her fiancé William Sawicki.

Vicky is also survived by eight great-grandchildren. Ryan Carpenito, Andrew Carpenito, Sarah Carpenito, Lauren Carpenito, MacKenzie Victoria Yeager, Cole Zielinski, Ryleigh Zielinski and Elaina Zielinski.

She is predeceased by her sister Inez. She is survived by her brother Benjamin and she is also survived by many, many nieces and nephews, who she loved dearly.

Friends may visit with the family from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at the Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home of Whiting, 115 Lacey Rd.,

Interment at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown, N.J.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Rose Garden Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Toms River, in Victoria’s name.

A visitation for Victoria will be held Wednesday, May 21, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM at Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 115 Lacey Road, Whiting, NJ 08759. Following the visitation will be a burial from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Rd, Wrightstown, NJ 08562.