Maria Veronia Setka, Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Great-Great Grandmother, passed away on Monday, September 23rd. She was born in Murter, Croatia in 1933 and passed away at 91. Her 34-year-old mother Luce passed away in 1947.
At age 14 she came to the United States with her younger brother Anthony and sister Rita unaccompanied through Ellis Island to be with her father Mike Jezin in San Pedro. She Married Steve Setka Senior in 1952. Maria always wanted to be a mother and loved children.
Her first son Steve Junior was born in 1953. She gave birth to four more sons, Michael, Anthony, Lanny, and George. Maria did not have a formal education, but was a highly creative seamstress, had an eye for fashion, and a natural businesswoman.
She put those talents to work in the 1960’s when given the chance to take over a failed bridal and formal wear business where she worked. Maria worked tirelessly to make Veronica’s Bridal Salon into the premier bridal and formal wear boutique in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Maria retired in in 1999 but stayed busy and involved in challenging pursuits.
She started a real estate business buying, renovating, and selling homes and apartment buildings in Desert Hot Springs, San Pedro, and Phoenix. She loved gardening, reading, and immersing herself into her deep Catholic faith. Maria is survived by her five sons, Steve, Michael, Anthony, Lanny, and George, her sister Rita Skunca, sister Janie Cardones, and brother Anthony Jez.
