Obituary of Kaja Knapic

It is with great sadness that the family of Kaja Knapic announces her passing, surrounded by family, on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital. Born in Podlapaca, Lika, Croatia on June 27, 1940, she was the wife of the late Mladen Josip Knapic.

Kaja leaves behind her daughter, Vanessa Knapic Baird (Tim); grandchildren, Shelby, Bridget, and Emerson Knapic Baird; her sister, Pepa Bosnjak; cousins, Joe Sertic and Diane Sertic (Paul Scotti); second cousins, Dejzana and Kijana Scotti; sister-in-law, Maria Sertic; as well as a very large extended family in Croatia. In addition to her husband, Mladen, Kaja was predeceased by her parents, Josip and Jelka (Paun) Sertic, and by her five siblings.

From a young age Kaja had opportunities to grow and expand her knowledge of life. She lived in a small village called Lika, in Croatia, which was a secluded place where her family relied on what they could grow to eat. The difficult war times of the 1940s left her mother Jelka widowed and having to raise seven children alone. Kaja, the second youngest, lived with several families who helped her mother with raising her. During her teens she lived in Paris with a doctor and his family. There she learned many skills and came to understand the value of work and service ethics as well as etiquette. 

Kaja’s life in Canada started in 1960 when she immigrated to live with her brother, Ante, his wife, Maria, and their family. Through meeting his friends and extended family Kaja was able to adjust to her new surroundings. With the help of her in-law, Rose Kalisz, she found her lifetime employment, working for 35 years at the Mr. Christie cookie factory. She married Mladen and they had one daughter, Vanessa, who was her everything.

Kaja was the engine that ran everything at every event. Her love of cooking, of children, and of family was the force that drove her. She was interested, and quite skilled, in knitting (slippers) as well as crochet and sewing. She made hair bands, dish cloths, blankets, etc. She could do it all! 

Kaja had many friends and was regarded by them as a wonderful lady. She had a very good sense of humor and at times she was sassy with a bit of wittiness. She led a life of service to others and helped those in need whenever she could. Her closest friends, Bozena, Helen, Esther, Maria and Milka, all regarded her as more than a friend. She was the sister that they never had. She loved her bothers and sisters, all of whom lived in Croatia, especially her youngest her sister, Pepa, who will very much miss her weekly phone call now. When Kaja came to live with Vanessa and Tim in 2005, she became part of their family, helping with everything she could to make their lives easier, especially with three children to raise. In 2012 the Baird family moved to Fredericton and once again Kaja had to make a new start. She found a new friend, Betty, whom she loved to spend time with. Together they volunteered their time as members of the CWL at St. Theresa’s Church and went on their little adventures to parish events.

Kaja had a wonderful life and she will be missed by everyone who had the opportunity to spend time with her!

Visitation will be held at McAdam’s Funeral Home on Thursday, July 2, from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Dunstan’s Catholic Church on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 12:00 pm. Further services, including interment, will take place in Toronto, ON, in the coming days. For those who wish, donations in Kaja’s memory may be made to The Fredericton Food Bank or any charity which focuses on feeding hungry children.