Obituary of Bunny M. Yacenko

Yacenko, Bunny (Beatrice) Marie (nee Risser) age 82 passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 28, 2008, at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson, surrounded by her loving family. "Bunny" was born Beatrice Marie Risser on March 10, 1926 at home in Clifton. She lived her childhood in Reno, Carson City, and Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Upon returning to New Jersey she lived in Clifton and Passaic, where she acquired the nickname "Bunny" (the name she became known by for the rest of her life). She married her late husband, John Yacenko on October 8, 1950, moving with him in 1951 to the home that was the pride of their lives, and where she resided for the remainder of her life. Early in life, Bunny was employed by the Weston Biscuit Company in Passaic, where she met many of her life-long friends. Later, she worked for pediatricians Dr. Rento and Dr. Coon, before retiring in 1964, to serve in the role that was her most important goal in life, home-maker and mother. Bunny was a parishioner of St. James R.C. Church in Totowa Boro. She strove to live her life, so as to be remembered as a moral lady. Bunny will be remembered for her love of animals, her laughter and sense of humor, and the laughter she brought others. Her greatest joys in life were time spent with her family (including her "honorary-adopted" children and grandchildren), with her many dear and devoted friends, at her sons' home in Chester Township, and playing cards at ANY opportunity. She is survived by her son, Darren John Yacenko and his partner Andrew John Klekanos of Chester Township, her brother, Henry J. Risser of Totowa Boro, her Aunt of 108 years of age, Anna Mura Sagui of North Haledon, her "honorary-adopted" children Dr. Patrick J. Sime of Clifton, and Diana Lee Poremba of Liberty, and her "honorary-adopted" grandchildren Tyler Falgiano, Sabatino E. (Sabby) Falgiano, and Antonio Q. (Tony) Falgiano, all of Independence. Family and friends are invited to visit from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd., Totowa Boro. Her funeral is on Thursday morning, July 3, 2008, from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home at 9:30 AM, with a Funeral Mass at St. James R.C. Church in Totowa at 10:00 AM. Committal prayers to follow at Laurel Grove Crematory Chapel, Totowa Boro. All attendees are invited to a repast luncheon in Bunny's memory immediately following at the Bethwood Restaurant, 38 Lackawanna Ave., Totowa. Although flowers are welcome, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bunny's memory to the Humane Society of New Jersey, 124 Evergreen Ave. Newark, NJ 07114-2133 or Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey, 103 Church Street, Suite 210, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. For more information, go to www.festamemorial.com.