Obituary of Jessie Hladik

Jessie Hladik, nee Harraka, passed away at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Paterson on June 29, 2022. Born to Syrian immigrants, Elias and Selma Harraka, in Paterson, NJ, Jessie embraced her ethnic roots all her life while also loving America which had been so good to her family. Jessie found joy in spending time with family and friends, volunteering, and worshipping God. She lived her life always putting Family, Faith, Friends and Country before herself. She was a dedicated volunteer at several local organizations, including the Clifton Police Department, the Clifton Public Library, the Hamilton House Museum and St. Joseph's Home for the Elderly in Totowa where she lived for the past 14 years.

While she never moved far from her birthplace, Jessie loved to travel to new places. She has been to Italy, Ireland, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Michigan, the Grand Canyon and the entire East Coast from Maine to Florida. She was a talented craftswoman - knitting, crocheting, and cross stitching beautiful pieces for friends and family. She cultivated a great love for the game of Mahjong, which she shared with her daughters and grandchildren. She was happiest by the ocean where she loved to listen to the waves, feel the ocean breeze, and enjoy an iced coffee.

Driven by her unwavering devotion to God, Jessie inspired all those who knew her with her complete and total faith in the Lord. She had a unique ability to make everyone around her feel included, important, seen, and loved. Jessie could make anyone and everyone laugh, and she did so every single day. She loved political debate and always enjoyed telling you why you were wrong if you did not agree with her. We will miss her laugh, her smile, and her loving spirit.

Cherishing her memory always are her 4 children, Janice France, Art Hladik, LuAnn Cottington, Stanley Hladik and their spouses. Jessie was so proud of her 12 grandchildren, Amy, Cort, Kyle, Jesse, Steven, Kevin, Laura, Emma, Kaitlyn, Andrew, Mary, Lauren and her 7 great grandchildren, Taylor, Kate, Brooke, Eli, Jack, Annie and Michael . Jessie is also survived by two brothers, Joseph Harraka of Woodland Park and James Harraka of

Ft. Lauderdale. Jessie was predeceased by her husband, Arthur, her 4 sisters, Mary Wade, Anne Policastro, Alice Stalker, Rose Portelli and her brother George Harraka.

Internment will be private. Expressions of sympathy can be made online at festamemorial.com If you wish to make a charitable donation in Jessie's name, her three favorite charities are The Gary Sinise Foundation, Tunnels to Towers and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.