Submitted by: Dan Rich

Mary Botich

March 19, 1921 - Dec. 25, 2008

South Bend Tribune 12/27/2008
SOUTH BEND - Mary Botich, 87, passed away at 5:30 am Thursday, December 25, 2008 in her residence. Mary was born on March 19, 1921 in Flint, Michigan to Daniel and Smilja (Karkas) Bozickovich. She retired from the St. Joseph County Auditors office where she had worked for 28 years. Mrs. Botich was a member of the Sts. Peter & Paul Serbian Orthodox Church, where she was very active serving many times on the Church Board and was in charge of the annual SerbFest Bake Sale. She was also very involved in the Aleksa Shantich Choir singing responses for Sunday services, traveling with the Choir, and has been the treasurer for over 15 years.. Mrs. Botich was a valuable member of the Circle of Serbian Sisters helping with various events throughout the years, and a longtime member of the Serbian National Federation. Known as "Gram","Grandma Sam" or "MeMa" one of Mary's greatest joys was having everyone together for holidays & other family gatherings. On September 7, 1941 she married Charles C. Botich. He died on October 31, 1971. Mary was also preceded in death by two brothers Peter Mandich and Joseph Mandich. Surviving are three daughters Elaine (Martin) Fortson of Goshen, Diane (William) Bernhardt and Susan Botich both of South Bend; 6 grandchildren Stacey (Mike) Wilson, Charlene (Robert) Esmont, Beth Anne (Lloyd) Easters, William Bernhardt II, Danielle (Christian) Minnes, and Christopher Piper; 10 great-grandchildren Kayla, Kristen, Jessica, Benjamin, Nicholas, Julia, Alexis, Savannah, Olivia, and Jillian; and a sister Bojana Milovich of South Bend.