Frances Ivankovic

Frances R. Ivankovic (nee Shaffer) of Wayne, died peacefully on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. She has lived in Wayne since 1966.

Frances was born and raised in Lafayette, NJ.  After graduating from nursing school, she began a career as a Registered Nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson. She later trader her nurse’s uniform to become a full-time mother when her son, John, was born.

Frances enjoyed ballroom dancing and in 1962, she went with some fellow nurses to New York City. It was here that she met Anton Ivankovic.  It didn’t take long for them to realize that they were great dance partners, and love blossomed. They married on September 14, 1963 at St. Bonaventure RC Church in Paterson and their love has endured for more than fifty-seven years since.  They moved to Wayne in 1966 and planted deep roots.  Frances enjoyed maintaining the landscaping around their home, growing flowers, and she always kept an immaculate home.  Together with Anton, their Catholic faith was foundational to their marriage and they quickly became active members of Our Lady of the Valley RC Church in Wayne. Frances taught CCD and served as a Eucharistic Minister, volunteering at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson for many years. She and Anton also enjoyed travelling and had visited Croatia, Mexico, Israel, Italy, and the island of St. Maarten was her favorite destination.

Frances was a wonderful homemaker.  She enjoyed hosting family gatherings and holidays. She was a wonderful cook who made the best fruit salad and was a master at cooking chicken. Frances was also a very nurturing mother to her son, John. She was devoted to him and taught him so many things.  She was a prolific reader herself, and she would often read to John, starting when he was a small baby. She successfully taught John to read before he entered preschool, and he has enjoyed reading throughout his lifetime as well.  She inspired John to look at life as a Mandala; a gift he will always cherish.

Frances is survived by her loving husband Anton of Wayne, their son John of Wayne, and two sisters; Eleanor Shaffer and Helen Bridges of Hampton Township, NJ, and two nieces; Sharon Bridges-Marino of Branchville, NJ, and Michele Bridges-Lopez of State College, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be greatly appreciated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, www.stjude.org.