Maria Azarko Obituary

Maria Azarko, age 94, of Somerset passed away peacefully on Monday, April 22, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born in Antopal, Belarus, she had immigrated to the United States 75 years ago and has resided in Somerset for the past 63 years. Before her retirement, she was employed as a Quality Control Technician for Ward Products in New Brunswick for 25 years. She was a communicant of St Mary of Zyrovicy Belarus Orthodox Church in Highland Park, where her beautiful soprano voice resonated throughout the church during Sunday Liturgy. She was a member of the Belarusian-American Association in New Jersey and enjoyed gardening and spending time with her loving family.

She is predeceased by her parents Teodosy and Maria Maruszko, her siblings Sophia Filenko, Alex Maruszko and Lida Awlasewicz and her husband Jan Azarko. Surviving are her children; George Azarko and his wife Nonna of Somerset and Irene Azarko of Somerset and her grandsons; Christopher and Mark Azarko.

Services are private under the direction of the Maliszewski Funeral Home, 218 Whitehead Ave, South River. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Maria's name to Chernobyl Children International, an NPO providing humanitarian aid to the children in Belarus suffering from the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Letters of condolence to the family, directions, and completed funeral arrangements may be found by visiting http://www.maliszewskifuneralhome.com.