Anna Marcin

Anna Marcin, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and faithful follower of the Lord Jesus, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2025, at the age of 94.

Born Ankiča Wagnblas on January 10, 1931, in the former Yugoslavia, Anna was the second oldest of six children born to Peter and Helen Wagnblas. Her family was forced from their home when she was a young girl by invading forces during World War II, and their survival established a lasting foundation for the strength and resilience Anna would demonstrate throughout her life.

Soon after the war, her family’s journey brought Anna to the United States — first through Ellis Island, next to Virginia and then to Yonkers, New York. In 1955, she married William Marcin, and together they had two beautiful daughters, Anne Marie and Catherine, eventually settling in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Following William’s sudden and untimely passing in 1968, Anna responded with courage and grace, working tirelessly to support her family as a single mother. She created a welcoming home on a beautifully curated corner lot, which brought her tremendous satisfaction— a place where lasting memories were made by her children, and later her grandchildren, where she lived until she moved closer to Anne Marie in 2019.

More than anything, being a grandmother was Anna’s pride and joy. She was there for the birth of each of Anne Marie and her husband Iftikhar’s five children — Solomon, Yasmine, Noah, Isaac, and Jacob — and shared a unique and enduring bond with each of them throughout their lives. Anna used most of her vacation time from work to visit them at their home in Upstate New York or to have the family stay with her for weeks-on-end during summer break. She was also there for each child’s first trip to Disney World and would spend countless hours pushing them on the swing, swimming with them in the pool, or reading the Bible with them. She also cared deeply for Catherine and her husband Dave’s three children – Dennis, Andrea, and Christina – and prayed for them constantly.

A woman of deep and abiding faith, Anna came to know Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior through the witness of her daughter, Anne Marie. From that point forward, her life was shaped by this devotion. She read her Bible daily, was a weekly attendee of Black Rock Church, and lovingly shared the Good News with family, friends, and anyone she encountered, even joining friends on annual trips to Washington, D.C., to pray for America and it’s leaders.

A gifted cook and talented seamstress, Anna used her skills to bring warmth, beauty, and joy to those she loved. She sewed or knitted countless custom-made pieces — from dresses and costumes to jersey patches and blankets — and brought life to every gathering with the aromas and flavors of her cooking. Her staples included a Thanksgiving turkey and gravy that no one could replicate, and traditional Eastern European Kifle that made Christmas and Easter as delicious as they were meaningful. She was also an avid gardener, using fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and other vegetables grown in her backyard to add a loving touch to countless family meals.

Throughout her long career supporting production operations at US Surgical, where she worked until her retirement in 1997, Anna inspired others with her resilience and strong work ethic. She was also a three-time cancer survivor, going into remission in the late 90s and living cancer-free until the time of her passing. Anna credited these victories to the healing power of Jesus and her steadfast trust in Him. Always humble, they were also a testament to her indomitable spirit.

Anna is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, her sister, Magda, and all eight of her grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Dahlia, Arabella, and Paxton. She was predeceased by her siblings Ivanka, Mary, Catherine, Adam, and her adoring parents.

A private burial service will be held at Lawncroft Cemetery in Fairfield, where Anna will be laid to rest beside her Mom and Dad.

In lieu of flowers or messages of condolence, the family requests that donations be made in Anna’s memory to Compassion International or The Wounded Warrior Project — charities that reflect her heart for spreading Jesus’ love and His gift of salvation to all nations and supporting those who have suffered the ravages of war.

As she used to sing to her grandchildren as she pushed them on the swing in her yard in Fairfield, or when visiting them and sharing moments that will live in their hearts forever, “High, high, up in the sky you go!” That is where Anna is now, at home and embraced by the Savior she faithfully served and where her family looks forward to reuniting with her again, one day.