Isabela Ilic

Isabela (Izabela) Ilic, age 71, of Clinton Township, NJ, passed away unexpectedly early morning on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Birchwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Cranford, NJ and was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Rahway, NJ.

Born on December 6, 1953, in Slovenia, Yugoslavia, Isabela was the daughter of the late Atanas and Ethel (Mésáros) Milanis. She spent her early years in Plainfield and Garwood, NJ, before settling in Clinton Township in 1985, where she made her home for the past decades.

Isabela was the devoted wife of Ivan Ilic. Married in 1970, they shared 55 years of deep love, friendship, and unwavering partnership. Ivan often described Isabela as the love of his life — their marriage rich, peaceful, and filled with creativity. She inspired one of the characters in his books, and her imagination and spirit often fueled his writing. Truly, they were each other’s best friend.

A graduate of Plainfield High School, Isabela worked in various roles in her younger years, including Mattel and a local car dealership. She later earned her associate degree in finance at Drake College and went on to build a career as a bank auditor. Eventually, she chose to join her husband in their family business, Dominick’s Pizzeria in Roselle Park, NJ, where she became the heart of customer service. She had an extraordinary ability to connect with people, remember the smallest details, and make every customer feel special. She was dearly loved by the restaurant’s loyal community.

Isabela was deeply proud of her heritage and expressed it through her passion for cooking. She loved preparing Greek, Hungarian, and Serbian dishes, and cherished the memories of spending time with her mother in law and grandmother— especially baking cookies together — as well as their shared love of shopping. These simple joys were a meaningful part of her life.

In addition to her husband, Isabela is survived by her beloved cousins in Eastern Europe and the United States.

Funeral services will be held at The Life-Giving Fountain Romanian Orthodox Church, 132 Califon Rd., Long Valley, NJ, on Monday, November 24 at 11:00am.

Visitation will take place at the church during the funeral service.

Interment will follow the service in the cemetery of The Life-Giving Fountain Romanian Orthodox Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home in Lebanon, NJ.  

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