Flemington, NJ (Raritan Township) – Anna Sacalis (née Costas), 86, passed away after a short illness on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at Hunterdon Medical Center, Flemington, NJ. The daughter of the late Michael and Joyce Costas (née Thomas), she was born in Jersey City.

A year after meeting on a blind date, Anna married John "Jack" Sacalis on August 15, 1954. The couple started their life together in Bayonne, NJ, where their three daughters, Joy, Jill and Christina, were born. The family later moved to East Brunswick, and then in 1976, started a small farm in Sergeantsville, where they lived for 44 years. Anna and Jack moved briefly to Princeton while building their home at Hunterdon Creekside in Flemington, where Anna resided until her passing.

Anna graduated from Lincoln High School in Jersey City, and in her early years was a ballet dancer and model. She went on to work in the international financial department of Hanover Bank in New York City. Driven by her commitment to serving the community, Anna became a member of the Eastern Star in Bayonne, as well as the East Brunswick Garden Club. She later became a long-time volunteer at the Flemington Food Pantry and Empty Bowl for the Flemington United Methodist Church. Anna also worked many years as assistant to the tax assessor of Delaware Township.

Anna was proud of her Greek Orthodox faith, and over the years was a member of several churches -- St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church in Flemington, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Westfield, St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Piscataway and St. Demetrius Greek Orthodox Church in Jersey City, where she sang in the choir.

Anna appreciated beauty in all things. This was most evident in her love of fashion, antiques, gardening and interior design. She was a wonderful cook, a skill she picked up from her father, a long-time chef. Anna was also an avid reader, and was particularly fond of mystery novels. Above all, though, Anna valued her family and friends.

In addition to her parents, Anna was predeceased by her sister, Molly Banos, and brother, Constantine "Dean" Costas. Anna will be deeply missed by her beloved husband, Jack; her daughters, Joy Sacalis, Jill Turndorf and husband Gary, Christina Sacalis and husband Kurt Steinert; grandchildren, Charlie Turndorf and his partner Rachel Norris, Andrew Maurer, Ben Turndorf and wife Amelia Josephson, Olivia Maurer, Emmett Steinert and Ila Steinert.

Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic, there will be no in-person visitation.

Relatives and friends are invited to join in a virtual funeral service via livestream from St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church on Monday, May 4, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. Go to www.stannagoc.org and click on the link for the YouTube channel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church in Flemington, NJ.