Mary F Persic

Mary knew that the only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work. Born in Croatia, it was this ethic that saw her through the turmoil that created starvation level poverty during The Great War. While growing up in the fishing village of Neresine, which is an island on the Adriatic Sea, she did everything from selling chamomile leaves to learning needle point from a band of gypsies to help her family through this period. These skills would assist her when she made it to the US. She started her work life here as a seamstress, making the highly detailed samples for stores as prestigious as Saks Fifth Avenue. But when she settled in Delran her time was dedicated to a different venture. She, along with her husband, Captain Lou, built and managed The Castle Inn, one of the first night clubs in Burlington County. Together, they made the perfect team: he had the character and panache to put it on the map, she had the organizational skills and diligence to keep everything going. During their 40 years in business they expanded to also include the Castle Harbor Marina and the Castle Harbor Drive-In, which was the area’s first frozen custard restaurant. But this success never changed Mary. Her home was always open to fellow Croatians looking to start their lives in America.rn In the late 1920s Mary was introduced to a young man named Louis F. Persic. His flashy convertible was enough to catch her attention, but his larger than life personality won her over. Before his passing in 2000, their 70 year marriage was blessed by their children: Dr. Louis Persic and his wife, Elfrieda of State College, Pa. and their daughter, Marie A. Cowan and her husband, William of Delran, NJ., ten grandchildren: Marina and Ken Lehn of Pittsburgh, PA; Julia and Todd Erdley of State College, PA.; Angela and Greg Fritton of Fuquay-Varina, NC; Louis R. Persic and Andy Cassell of Washington, DC; Nicole and Dan Semon of Amissville, VA, Eric and Aimee Persic of Bellefonte, PA; Dr. Andrea Hulse Johnson and J. Paul Johnson of Silver Spring, MD; Leslie M. Hulse of Talent, OR; Gracy and Nigel Wynter of Delran, NJ and Janie Hulse Najenson and Damian Najenson of Buenos Aries, Argentina and thirteen great grandchildren. She is also survived by Christopher and Margaret Cowan of Doylestown, PA and cousins, Maria Mascarin and Mary Lou Szeman of Cinnaminson, NJ and Gianna Cecchi of Beverly, NJ and her loving caregiver, Maria Belli of Delanco, NJ. She was predeceased by her loving nephew, John V. Persic of Delran, NJ rnCome celebrate Mary’s 103 wonderful years (Sept. 24, 1908-Nov. 19, 2011) Saturday from 9-10:30 AM at the Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 AM at Resurrection Parish (St. Casimir Site), Riverside. Entombment St. Peter’s Cemetery, Riverside. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Resurrection Parish 260 Conrow Rd. Delran, NJ 08075.rn