Elizabeth Franeta

Elizabeth Franeta of St Petersburg Florida passed away at the age of 93 on May 31, 2023, lovingly surrounded by family after a battle with cancer.

Elizabeth (also called Liza) was born on November 11, 1929 to Peter and Helen Galantich in New York. A few years later the family returned to Yugoslavia (now Croatia) and their beloved village of Sveti Vid on the island of Krk. In 1939, on the eve of World War II, most of the family moved back to New York again while Liza and her younger brother Peter remained with their grandmothers. In 1948 after a harrowing escape on a dinghy to Italy, they subsequently were reunited with their family in New York City. The Galantich family grew in number to six children.

In 1950, Elizabeth met Kosta Franeta while both were working at Horn and Hardart’s food service Automat in Manhattan. Kosta was also from Yugoslavia and had survived capture and three years in a Nazi concentration camp. Elizabeth and Kosta married in 1951 in Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church and eventually lived in the Bronx. They had four children. Both Liza and Kosta worked hard to support their family with very little means.

As a young girl she learned to play the accordion and she was a natural. She was in demand to entertain in her village and surrounding area. As a mother, she played for her children the folk songs she already knew and popular songs she learned by ear. She loved music, languages, reading and other cultural activities. She was a devout Catholic. While taking care of her family, she worked at the New York University library in the Bronx.

Following the tragic death of her youngest daughter, Gina and then her husband’s death in 1983, Liza lived alone in St Petersburg for her last 40 years. She was very close to her beloved parents who lived nearby and took care of them throughout their final days.

Kind and compassionate, she made many dear friends in St. Pete, first by being part of the Italian Club and the Croatia Club and later by joining several card playing groups. She volunteered at the Museum of Art and attended Florida Orchestra concerts regularly. She was fun-loving and enjoyed telling jokes. Two of her grandchildren, Beth and Danielle, spent many fun summers with their devoted grandmother. In recent years, she has enjoyed many visits with her great-grandchildren. She had a great love for children.

Liza loved to travel. She traversed Europe, China, Egypt and even climbed the heights of Machu Picchu in Peru. A scenic train trip across Canada was one of her final travel adventures. Her greatest pleasure was showing off her hometown on the island of Krk. In 2000, a family reunion brought together thirty-five relatives who explored their Galantich roots and were treated to Elizabeth’s reminiscences.

Predeceased by her daughter Gina in 1980 and her husband Kosta in 1983, Elizabeth is survived by her daughters Sonja Franeta (Susan Shallenberger) and Nada Camali (Eugene) and her son Tom Franeta (Emily), as well as five grandchildren Elizabeth, Danielle, Christina, Geno and James and five great grandchildren: Luke, Maddox, Gina, Samantha, and Frannie.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her brother Dominic Galantich. She is survived by siblings Sister Dolores Galantich, Peter Galantich (Ivanica), Helen Richman, Mary Miller (Fred), sister-in-law Geraldine Galantich, and by many nieces, nephews and cousins and a large extended family, including in Croatia, her cousin Meri Nenadich.

Florida services Viewing: Sunday June 4 from 4 to 8 pm at Beach Memorial Chapel, 301 Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach, Fl. 33706.

Funeral mass: Monday June 5th at 9:30 am at St. Jude the Apostle Cathedral Chapel, 5815 5th Ave. N. St Petersburg Fl 33710.

New York services Viewing: Wednesday June 7 from 4 to 8 pm at Whalen and Ball Funeral Home 168 Park Ave, Yonkers NY 10703.

Burial: Thursday June 8 at 10 am St. Mary’s Cemetery in Yonkers New York.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

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