Mary A. Ivancich, age 97, passed away on March 18, 2015 at her home in Eureka. Mary was born in Loleta, California on June 13, 1917 to Anna and John Deniz, immigrants from the Acores Islands. Heaven has gained another angel and she’s now walking briskly with her friends and family.

Mary grew up in a large Portuguese family working on their dairy farm. She graduated from Ferndale High School and at one of the local dances she met her future husband, Roy Ivancich. They married in October 1941 and shortly afterwards, Roy shipped off to WWII while Mary worked as a Rosie the Riveter in San Diego. After the war, they settled in Eureka and Mary became lifetime friends with many new foreign war brides from Europe. She was an honorary member of their World Friendship Club and is now with two of her closest friends, Jeannette and Simone.

For many years Mary worked as a cook and kitchen aide at Lincoln and Marshall schools. She was an active member of St. Bernard’s Church, attending daily mass at St. Joseph’s. Mary was a member of Catholic Daughters of America and was one of the original March of Dimes moms. Up until she was 95, Mary volunteered faithfully every week at St. Vincent DePaul kitchen.

Mary loved her grandchildren dearly and made them pancakes every morning before walking with them to school. She loved attending their various school and sporting events. She also traveled often and as recently as 2011 flew to Alaska to attend her 4th grandchild’s high school graduation.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy; parents, Anna and John; her sisters, Ann and Phyllis; brothers, John and Tony; son-in-law, Tony Route; nephew, Walter “Rookie” Stewart; and sister-in-law, Mabel Johnson.

She is survived by her son, Paul Ivancich; daughter-in-law, Debbie Ivancich; daughter, Ann Route; grandchildren, Kristin Ivancich, Natalie (Brian) Noga, Anthony (Katelyn) Ivancich, Olivia and Hunter Route; great-grandchildren, Ava and Jackson Noga; sister, Delmida Edwards; brother, Frank (Irene) Deniz; and numerous nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank the wonderful nursing staff of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Hospice of Humboldt, and especially Frye’s Care Home, where Mary lived the last two years.

Friends are invited to attend a vigil service and rosary at Pierce Chapel in Eureka at 7 p.m. Monday, March 23. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 24 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Eureka; followed by a reception at the Eureka Elks Lodge.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Bernard’s Elementary School, Hospice of Humboldt or your favorite charity.

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The above obituary was submitted by Mary Ivancich’s daughter, Ann. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.