Maria B. Romanik

Maria (Berlekovic) Romanik, a longtime resident of Madison, entered into eternal rest on July 12, 2025, at the age of 89. She is now reunited with her beloved husband and best friend, Eugene (Gene), her beloved daughter, Diane Romanik, and all of her family and friends, who have passed before her.

Maria is survived by her children, Katherine Romanik of Boston, MA, Susan (David) Oliverio of Guilford and Robert (Christine) Romanik of Westbrook; her grandchildren, Maria (Matthew) Humphrey and Jason (Jennifer) Oliverio of North Branford, and Jesse (Cynthia) Edwards of Hamden; seven great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. Maria is also survived by a brother, Joseph Berlekovic, of North Carolina.

Maria was born in Backi Monostor, Yugoslavia on September 9, 1935 to the late Joseph and Katherine (Zieger) Berlekovic, where she enjoyed her early childhood tending to the family’s farm animals and swimming in the Danube. Maria and her family immigrated to America when she was a young teen. They lived and worked in Kentucky upon arriving in America, then re-located to Massachusetts, and finally settled in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

As a young adult, Maria was a seamstress and a ballroom dance instructor. Maria very much enjoyed dancing and would go to the weekly dances with her girlfriends from Church. In fact, it was at one of those dances that she met her true love, Gene. It was love at first sight. They danced the night away and went on their first date the very next day. They were engaged two months later and married five months after that, and they continued dancing for the many, many years that followed.

In addition to ballroom dancing, Maria also enjoyed bowling, bird watching, her UCONN “GIRLS”, the Yankees, going to casinos near and far, and, mostly, spending time with her family.

We will forever miss you, Mom (Gram), but we know that you and Dad (Gramps) will spend eternity dancing the Waltz and the Fox Trot. Until we meet again, we LOVE YOU, Mom (Gram).

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Margaret’s Church (Academy Street, Madison), with burial following at West Cemetery (Jannas Road, Madison). There will be no calling hours.