Mary Perica
Alton |
Mary Perica, 97, died peacefully at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 9, 2010 in Godfrey.
Mary was born January 27, 1913 in Wood River, to the late Nicholas and Sophia Barach. In August 1927 she married Peter Perica Sr. He preceded her in death on December 5, 1982. Peter was the former Alton alderman and Madison County Supervisor. Mary was proud of her Slavic roots and enjoyed attending programs related to her ethnic heritage. Duquesne University Tamburitzans and Don Lipovac were several of her favorite performers. She enjoyed traveling to visit her grandchildren, living in many parts of the country, attending events related to their lives. She was a life long member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Ann’s Alter Society. She enjoyed cooking for large groups of people and was especially noted for her great fried chicken and coleslaw. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinal Baseball fan and enjoyed going to many games when she was younger. Mary was a great neighbor and friend to many, living in her same neighborhood for over 70 years. She retired in 1978 as a cook for the Catholic Children’s Home.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Mildred Vogelsang and son-in-law, John Vogelsang of Godfrey, sons, Peter Perica Jr. and his wife Delores of Godfrey, Paul Perica and wife Patty of Godfrey, Ray Perica and wife Sue of Lakeland, FL and Ken Perica and wife Ellen of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mary was a loving grandmother to Dr. Judy Vogelsang, Kansas City, MO, Dr. Pam Vogelsang-Hampel, Prairie Village, KS, Linda Benson, Naples, FL, Craig Perica, Blountville, TN, Cynthia Collins, Highland Park, IL, Deborah Perica, Godfrey, Audrey Medsker, Cary, IL, Mary Helen Malloy, San Francisco, CA, Tom Perica, Phoenix, AZ and Mark, Dan, Katie and Tim Perica of Cincinnati, OH, five great grandchildren and one great-great grandson.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Mike Barach.
Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m., Friday at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton. Father Shawn Monahan, OMV will officiate. Burial will be at Upper Alton Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Church Building Fund, St. Anthony’s Hospital, Masses or the Heartland Hospice. A special thank you to the nurses and staff at Blu-Fountain Manor for their excellent and loving care.
Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com
Gent Funeral Home
