Gizella M. Barilich Domnanovich

April 20, 1925 - May 18, 2018

SOUTH BEND - Friday morning, May 18, 2018, Gizella M. Barilich, 93, was reunited in heaven with her beloved husband of 71 years.

Gizella was first generation American born to Frank and Elizabeth (Taits) Domnanovich, April 20, 1925. As well as being a proud American, she valued her Croatian heritage and maintained ties with the Croatian community in South Bend and her relatives in Austria. She married the love of her life, “her sweetheart”, Steve Barilich, on October 4, 1947. Steve passed on June 28, 2006.

Gizella devoted the first 40 years of her marriage to building and managing their thriving masonry construction business, raising two children, and working 20 years as a food service manager at St. Mary's College dining facility.

With their free time, they enjoyed visiting their children around the country and abroad. The travels increased with the birth of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was proud of being called grandma and great-grandma. She loved dancing with Steve, especially at the weddings of her family, and attending the graduations of the grandchildren. She lived the last two and a half years of her life in independent living at St Paul's Sanctuary in South Bend, where she enjoyed the friendship of many childhood friends, as well as fellow parishioners from St. Jude's.

Surviving are a daughter, Marie (Lawrence) DeRenne of Westville, OH; a son, Steven (Julianne) Barilich of Fredericksburg, VA; 5 grandchildren, Elizabeth (Robert) Skerke, Jeanette DeRenne, Benjamin Barilich (Abigail), Margarette Barilich, and George Barilich; and 4 great-grandchildren, Gabrielle Elizabeth, Keira Nicole, Lee Thomas, and Ellis Campbell.

On Wednesday, May 30, 2018, visitation with family will take place at St. Jude Catholic Church from 11 am-12:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow and be celebrated at 1:00 pm. Gizella will be laid to rest in Highland Cemetery.

In-lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Gizella to St. Jude Scholarship Fund. Please forward contributions to Steven Barilich, 36 Dawson Dr., Fredericksburg, VA 22405. Scholarship will be awarded fall of 2018 in her memory.

Zahoran Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. To leave an online condolence visit our website, www.zahoran.com.

05/23/2018  JFC