Gordana Nadrljanski

Gordana Nadrljanski, 87, of Littleton, MA, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, July 6, 2026, surrounded by her closest family. She was the beloved wife of the late Sava Nadrljanski, the love of her life and her devoted partner for fifty-two years. Gordana was a loving and proud mother of Dragana Nadrljanski of Littleton, MA. She embraced Dragana’s husband, Aaron Wall, as her own son, loving him with the same warmth, affection, and devotion that she so generously shared with her family.

Gordana was predeceased by her beloved sisters, Veselinka Sušić and Kosovka Škarica, and her cherished brothers-in-law, Stanislav Sušić and Milan Škarica. She shared an extraordinary bond with her sisters, whose love and companionship remained a constant throughout her life. She was a devoted aunt to her nieces Branka Radojčić, wife of Brano Radojčić, Borjanka Mađura, wife of the late Dragan Mađura, Dubravka Vukomanović, wife of Ranko Vukomanović, and Davorka Brkić, loving each of them as if they were her own children. Her twelve great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, and great-great-nephews each held a special place in her heart.

Gordana was born in Sarajevo, Kingdom of Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina) in 1939 to Bogdan Novaković, a banker, and Mileva Novaković, a homemaker. Despite the hardships of the Second World War, Gordana’s parents gave their three daughters a happy childhood in a loving home built on faith, respect, kindness, and family traditions.

Gordana and Sava’s fifty-two-year marriage was marked by love, faith, mutual respect, and devotion to each other. Together, they embraced life's joys and sustained one another through its hardships with quiet strength and unwavering support. They raised their daughter with devoted care, giving her the freedom and support to discover the world, embrace new experiences, and pursue her dreams with confidence. Through their example, they imparted the values of compassion, resilience, independence, and perseverance that helped shape the woman she is today. Gordana and Sava relocated to the United Kingdom in the early nineties. They later moved to Mongolia, and after returning to England, they eventually settled in the United States, finally reuniting with their daughter and son-in-law.

The bond Gordana shared with her two sisters and their families remained unbreakable throughout their lives. They were not only sisters, but also lifelong best friends and matriarchs whose love, strength, and support united their families. Their connection became the foundation for the close relationships among their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Gordana loved cooking, travelling, needlepoint, and knitting. Opera and theatre held a special place in her heart, and music was a passion she and her husband shared deeply. Although Sava wasn’t particularly fond of dancing, he would often dance with Gordana because he knew how much she enjoyed it. The family spent weekends and summers at their small cabin on a glacial lake, where they tended a garden and, season after season, wove a lifetime of cherished memories.

Gordana began her career working part-time in administration during her senior year of high school. She earned a degree from the University of Sarajevo's School of Economics and Finance while working full-time and raising a family. She spent the majority of her professional career in Energoinvest, the leading energy and telecommunications company, managing finances and accounting for large-scale projects.

Gordana loved life and embraced each day with faith, optimism, and quiet determination. She believed that every challenge had a path forward and that there was always something meaningful to be found in every circumstance. Her ability to meet adversity with hope, to persevere with dignity, and to support those around her left a lasting impression on generations of her family.

Friends and family are warmly invited to join us for visitation on Sunday, July 19, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 41 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge, MA 02140 with Opelo (the Serbian funeral service) immediately following at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Westlawn Cemetery, 7 New Estate Road, Littleton, MA 01460. At 4:30 p.m., friends and family are invited for Daća (Serbian memorial meal/gathering) to celebrate and share memories of Gordana at Il Forno Restaurant, 529 King St., Littleton, MA 01460.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in memory of Gordana may be made to:

Boston Children's Hospital
401 Park Drive, Suite 602
Boston, MA 02215
https://secure.childrenshospital.org/site/

Arrangements are under the care of Badger Funeral Home, A Life Celebration Home, 347 King St., Littleton, MA 01460. 978-486-3709