Cana Papuckoski (nee Presilska), age 73, of Crown Point, IN passed away peacefully on Thursday October 9th surrounded by her loved ones after courageously battling Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer).

Cana was born in Mogila, Macedonia on April 6, 1952, to childhood sweethearts, Slavka and Alekso Presilski. She was the apple of her father’s eye. Cana grew up close to her four brothers and became very fond of their wives and children. Her grandmother, Zojka Presilska, instilled the fundamental principles of the Eastern Orthodox Christian religion. Cana described her childhood in Mogila as “best life, happy life” because of her tight knit family. She often returned to her ancestral home spending long summers with them.  

Cana married Boris Papuckoski in 1973 and shortly afterward they moved to Gary, Indiana. Together they raised three children: Makedonka Baloski (Stevan), Marta Surbevski (Ico) and Trajko Papuckoski. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Boris Papuckoski, her children and beloved grandchildren Philip, Daniel, Andrew, Julia, Anna and Noah. 

Cana adored her grandchildren and was actively involved in their lives.  She competitively played floor hockey or soccer with them, never conceding victory. Sometimes, she would color or cook with them.  All her grandchildren have memories of Cana taking them to the park.  She had a fun side and would slide down the slides and go on the swings with them. Cana often travelled to watch her grandchildren performing in concerts or playing hockey, baseball or soccer games. She never missed a birthday party or vacation having gone on numerous cruises throughout the Caribbean and Latin America and visiting attractions such as Disney, San Diego Zoo, Legolands (Chicago & Florida), Tivoli in Denmark and beautiful beaches in Spain with her grandchildren. Her grandchildren have beautiful memories and many quotable moments from time spent together.  

Relationships were important to Cana. Throughout her lifetime, she developed close friendships. Her closest friends were Naumka Todoroski, Violet Petrovski and Gjena Trajkoski (who predeceased Cana). They shared life’s struggles and joys with her. Cana was known for her quiet stoic nature, loyalty, reliability and generosity. Cana was selfless and aided all she loved. Cana welcomed everyone into her home. 

Cana will be missed dearly, but her life will always be celebrated.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 17, 2025 at S. S. Peter & Paul Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral, 9660 Broadway, Crown Point, IN, 46307 at 10 AM.  Funeral services will follow and begin at 11 AM.  Rev. Georgij Gligorov and Rev. Aleksandar Mitrov officiating. Interment at Calumet Park Cemetery. For further information, please call Mileva Savich at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 219-736-5840