Marija A. Palonis

Marija A. Palonis

Green Brook – Marija A. Palonis, 95, passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at CareOne Nursing Home in Jackson, NJ. Marija was born and raised in Kaunas, Lithuania to the late Kazys and Ona Krusinskas. As a teenager during the World War  II conflict in the 1940’s, she fled Lithuania as it was being occupied by soviet troops.  She moved through Germany until finally entering the United States in 1947.  She was eternally grateful to President Harry S. Truman for allowing her to enter the United States and her love for her native Lithuania was only matched by her love and patriotism for her new homeland, the United States. Marija also never forgot Lisa for all she sacrificed during her escape from Germany during WWII. Originally settling in Brooklyn, NY she earned her nursing degree while working in NY City hospitals.  There she married her first love, Vytautas Liobis and started a family moving to Green Brook, NJ in 1967. After the death of her husband, Marija returned to nursing in 1968, working for the United States Veterans Administration Hospital.  There she focused on studies and earned her certification as a radiology technician.  Always striving for excellence, she earned numerous awards and citations throughout her career gaining the respect and admiration of all her coworkers.  While working at the VA Hospital, Marija met and married her second love, and as she always said, her best friend, Joseph Palonis. After retiring from the VA Hospital in Lyons, NJ in 1992, she and Joe focused on traveling throughout the US and Europe. In her spare time, Marija enjoyed caring for all animals including her 2 cats, and numerous foxes and deer visiting her property.  No animal ever left her house hungry.  However, what she enjoyed most was spending time with her family and grandchildren. She will greatly missed by family and friends.

She is predeceased by her first husband, Vytautas Liobis, her second husband, Joseph Palonis, sister, Stella Rasimas and brother-in-laws, Frank Rogers, and Petras Rasimas.

Marija leaves behind to cherish her memory, her loving children, Vytautas K. ”Vito” Liobis and his wife, Barbara, Arvydas P. “Arvy” Liobis and his wife, Anne, Antanas A. “Tony” Liobis and his wife, Jurate; step-children, Debra Barth and her husband, Edward, Diane O’Neil and her husband, Terrence, Donna Giza and her husband, William; siblings, Dana Rogers, Irene Blazas and her husband, George, and Antanas Krusinskas and his wife, Roma, 10 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. 

Visiting hours will be held from 4-7PM, on Tuesday, January 9, 2023 at the Bridgewater Funeral Home, 707 East Main Street, Bridgewater, NJ 08807. Funeral mass will be held at 10AM, Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at St. John’s Church, 35 William St., Pittston, PA. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 612 Mt. Olivet Rd., Wyoming, PA 18644.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to Tabby’s Place, 1100 US-202, Ringoes, NJ 08551, Tabbysplace.org.

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