Joan Mary Basic

Joan Mary Basic (née Zaninovich) passed away on July 22, 2017 after a short illness. Born on March 6, 1931 in West New York, NJ, Joan was the second daughter of Anton and Kate (née Parmać) Zaninovich, both immigrants from the Dalmatia region of Croatia. She was a mischievous and fun-loving tomboy as a child, who was the marbles champion of her West New York neighborhood and enjoyed visiting her maternal aunt and uncle’s farm in Red Hook, NY. From an early age, Joan loved music (particularly classical) and was an accomplished pianist who studied at the Manhattan School of Music. Often called upon to perform at family gatherings, she and her sisters also frequently performed in public; several of their performances were recorded and still exist on 78 rpm acetates cherished by the family. She was also the long-time organist and member of the choir at Sts. Cyril & Methodius and St. Raphael Croatian Catholic Church in Manhattan, where she first met her future husband, Steve. Before her marriage to Steve G. Bašić on October 4, 1959, she worked for many years in the advertising industry (one fond memory was working on the campaign celebrating the 500th anniversary of the founding of Paris, France) and the pharmaceutical industry in New York City. After their marriage, Joan and Steve had three children: Anne Marie, Stephen, and Mary K. and Joan poured her love and energy into her new roles as devoted wife and mother. Joan and Steve remained active parishioners at the church where they had met and both were active in church activities, particularly the Cardinal Stepinac Folklore Group. In 1970, after her youngest child began grade school, Joan returned to the workforce and began a nearly four decade long and exemplary tenure of service to the Bergen County Medical Society and the local medical community, ultimately rising to the position of Executive Director. While at the Society, she returned to school and became a Certified Association Executive. Upon her retirement in 2008 as Executive Director of the Bergen County Medical Society, Joan was honored by a Joint Legislative Resolution of the Senate and General Assembly of New Jersey “commend[ing] her meritorious record of service and commitment”. In retirement, Joan continued in her charitable endeavors and in her unceasing devotion to family, friends, and church. She will truly be missed. Joan is survived by her daughter, Anne Marie, her son, Stephen, her granddaughter, Mikayla Rose Clancy, her sister, Catherine Karlich, numerous nieces and nephews, and other extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Steve, her daughter, Mary K., her parents, her brother, Vincent, and her sister, Antoinette Vlacancich. Relatives and friends are invited to visit on Monday, July 24th, from 4-8 pm at Volk Leber Funeral Home, 268 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell, NJ. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, July 25th at 10 am at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 300 Elm Avenue, Oradell, NJ, with cremation to follow.