Anna Pastier Magula, born on May 24, 1920 in the small village of Teka Nova Ves, Czechoslovakia, passed into eternal life on October 14, 2015. As a teenager, the looming war in Europe brought her, like many other immigrants, via ship to America. After working several years in Palmerton, PA, she relocated to New York City. It was at a dance hosted by the Slovak Society in New York that she met a handsome and charming young man, Stephen J. Magula, Sr., whom she married in a simple church ceremony on August 31, 1940. It gave Anna and Steve great joy to share their Slovak heritage, language and traditions with their children, grandchildren and great grandson; yet, they were proud Americans who strongly valued their citizenship. Together, they worked tirelessly, often holding multiple jobs at a time, to provide a brighter future for their children.

Anna was a talented seamstress, gardener, cook and baker. Making wedding gowns became her specialty and during her career with Ilyssa Bridals in Manhattan, she frequently was requested by local and international families to make elegant custom wedding gowns for their daughters. Often that included specialty items for the brides, such as handbags, wraps, bridal dolls and appliques for shoes. All who worked with Anna admired and loved her, not only for her talent, dedication and ability, but also for her warmth, the personal attention she gave to each bride and the love she had for her craft.

Anna continued with her career for several years after her husband retired. When not making wedding gowns, Anna loved to “make a party.” Dancing, preparing Slovak dishes and baking cookies, pies and cakes for any gathering of family and friends brought her and others great delight.

In 1986 Anna and Steve moved from Floral Park, NY to Virginia Beach to be close to their children and grandchildren. They quickly made a new life and met many new friends through church and community activities. The gardening, cooking and baking continued for many years and Anna was loved by all the neighborhood children for her chocolate chip and ribbon cookies.

To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, Anna and Steve renewed their vows in the church where they were married; and, with the reception afterwards, they finally had the grand party they always wanted. To bring Anna’s career full circle, Ilyssa Bridals created a custom wedding gown for the jubilant couple’s special occasion.

During their retirement, Anna and Steve enjoyed cruising and traveling to Florida, New York and Europe before Anna developed symptoms of age-related dementia and subsequently, Alzheimer’s disease. Upon the passing of her husband in 2010, Anna moved to the Christopher Center at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

The family extends their gratitude and appreciation to the staff of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and, more recently, to the staff of Medi-Home Health and Hospice for their support and compassionate care of Anna.

Left to cherish Anna’s memory are her children and their spouses, Samantha Simmons Conaway (Rick) of Chesapeake and Stephen J. Magula, Jr. (Sheila) of Virginia Beach; two granddaughters and their husbands, Edie Magula (Dave Nimmich) and Maureen Magula (Tim Fitzpatrick) and a great grandson, Jake Fitzpatrick, all of Virginia Beach; a sister and her husband, Olga Blizard (George) of Haverstraw, NY; and many nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Slovakia.

Family and friends will treasure forever the beautiful memories she has left with them, as she rests now in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To celebrate Anna’s life, a joyful Mass of the Resurrection will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2015 at the Church of the Ascension, 4853 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach. The family will greet friends at the church from 5:30 p.m. until service time and a reception will be held in the Church Hall following the Mass. Wearing the color purple on November 9th to raise awareness and inspire action for Alzheimer’s research is welcomed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association-Southeastern Virginia, 6350 Center Drive, Suite 102, Norfolk, VA 23502 or to a similar charity.