Antanina Salcius (née Mažajevaitė), 98, of Manchester, passed away on May 13, 2021.  Antanina was the matriarch of a family that spans the United States and Europe.  

Antanina was born in Prienai, Lithuania, on March 25, 1923.  She grew up there with her sisters Kastule, Ona, and Albina, half-sister Marija and half-brother Juozas, who all preceded her in death as did her husband Motiejus.  The political situation in Lithuania caused her to flee the country in 1944 with her husband and son John and live in various Displaced Persons Camps in Germany where her children Vida, Victor, and Ramone were born before immigrating to Manchester, CT in 1950.  Virginia was born in Manchester, and due to the war, her daughter Aldona was left behind in Lithuania, and was raised by Antanina’s mother.  They were not reunited until some 50 years later.

Antanina was a 35-year employee of Roosevelt Mills where she made sweaters.  She loved to watch UConn women’s basketball, travel, play bingo and especially enjoyed gardening and growing her own vegetables.    Antanina was a longtime member of St. Bridget’s Church in Manchester and attended St. John’s Polish National Church in more recent years. She also was very active in fundraising for the Lithuanian Hall and served on its board.

She leaves behind daughter Aldona Tadaravičienė (Vytas Tadaravičius) of Kaunas, Lithuania, son John Salcius of South Windsor, daughter Vida Turek (Curt Treichel) of Tucson, AZ, son Victor Salcius (Beverly) of Manchester, daughter Ramone Kravitz (Peter) of Arlington, VA, and daughter Virginia Salcius (Gordon Palmer) of Manchester.  She will also be greatly missed by her 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and other family and friends.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the kind and compassionate care she received at Fox Hill Center, especially nurse Kathy and Director Debbie who took a personal interest in her well-being.

Antanina’s kindness, generosity, matter-of-fact sense of humor, and great love of life will be missed by many. 

There are no calling hours.  A private celebration of her life will take place at a later time. To leave a memory or message of condolence for the family, please visit www.holmeswatkins.com