Mary Agnes Gilich

The Coast lost a beautiful life Sunday, January 15, 2012 when Mary Agnes Gilich, age 83, of Biloxi, passed away suddenly in Biloxi. She touched many lives and will be dearly missed by her family and her many friends.
Born in Biloxi to Croatian immigrant parents, Mary was a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy. She was a graduate of Powers School of Modeling in New Orleans, and represented Biloxi in the Festival of Five Flags Beauty Pageant in Pensacola, Florida.
She worked side by side with her brother and sister-in-law at Foodland Supermarket in Biloxi from 1946 until her retirement in 1980. She was active in many local clubs and especially her Sacred Heart Alumni Association.
Mary was a life long member of Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral where she served as a greeter for many years, a member of the Altar Society, and many prayer groups throughout the years.
Mary traveled numerous times throughout Europe and especially to her parents' hometown in Croatia. She kept in contact with her many relatives there as recently as last week. She was always collecting clothes, shoes and whatever was needed to send to them.
Having never married and no children of her own, she mothered three generations of beloved nieces and nephews. She was always ready to cook chicken soup whenever any of them were sick. They could always count on ""Ole Mary"" to take care of them.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Rosa Gillich, Sr, her brothers Joe and Rudolph Gillich, sister Anna Mae Gilich, sister-in-law Jacobina Sekul Gilich, brother-in-law Edward Barq III, nephew Stephen K. Wetzel, and great nephew Gregory Gilich.
She is survived by her brothers Andrew M. Gilich, Sr. and Mike Gillich, Jr, sister Lucille G. Barq, all of Biloxi, sister Frances Duke of Minneapolis, MN, her nieces and nephews, Andrew ""FoFo"" and Serena Gilich, Andrea D Gilich, Sr, Jaye and Dr. Buddy Brice, Jim Wetzel,Sr, Diane ""Bunny"" Barq, Edward ""Sonny"" and Cindy Barq, Robert K. Barq, Marlene and Keith Pisarich, Tina Gillich, Joe Gillich, Mike Gillich, III, all of Biloxi, and Sherry and Ralf Wrena of New Jersey, and former sister-in-law, Marlene Gillich.
The loves of her life were her great-nieces and nephews, Rachel, Keith, Gretchen, Andy, Michelle, Max, Zach, Andrea Jr, Johneen, John, Jacqueline, Aaron. Jimmy, Garnette, Garner, Jamie Lynn, Peter, Jarrod, Leigh, Keith Jr, Heather, Mia, Carol, Mario, Brennan, Anne, Stephen, Elissa, Kathlene, Bobby, Ashley, Wesley, Landon, Ken, Dawn, Elizabeth, Paul, Stevie, Chris, John, Michael, David, Alex, Loren, Brad, Alli, Sebastian, Shelly, Ollie, Zack, and Natalie. She was looking forward to her next great-great arrival due in August.
Mary had a special love for her four-legged nieces Coco and Chrisi.
Memorial donations may be made to Rosary Rally of Biloxi Diocese, 1790 Popp's Ferry Road, Biloxi, MS 39532.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at Noon at Nativity BVM Cathedral, Biloxi, with a visitation from 10:00 AM until Noon. Burial will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Rd, Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.