Verna Barich, 96

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Verna Barich, of Columbus, died Saturday, March 15, 2008, at her home. She was 96.

Verna was born Aug. 2, 1911, in Hibbing, Minn., to George and Willa Mina Eddy.

She graduated from Hibbing High School in 1929 and received her nursing degree from the University of Minnesota, becoming a registered nurse.

On Dec. 29, 1934, she married Dewey F. Barich.

Verna and Dewey had four children as they lived in Michigan and Ohio before they retired to Tucson, Ariz., in 1976 and moved to Green Valley, Ariz., in 1995.

After Dewey died in 2001, Verna moved to Midland, Mich., then to Ohio.

In Arizona, Verna became involved in hospice programs, which later helped her in the final years of her life.

She also became interested in Native American history and culture.

She was a member of the Episcopal Church throughout her life.

Verna enjoyed reading, traveling, cross-stitching and her family.

She rafted the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon three times.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Kella, Gail and Harriett; brother, George; and one daughter, Barbara Panian.

She is survived by a brother, Warren (Sandra) Eddy; three children, Judith Robinson, Dewey J. (Jaye) Barich of Dover, Del., and Wendy (Richard) deBear; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place, and her cremains will be interred at Trinity Episcopal Church in Belleville, Mich.

A celebration of Verna's life will be 2 p.m. May 8 in Trinity Episcopal Church, Belleville.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may consider making a donation to the Dewey And Garrott Barich Scholarship, c/o the Stout University Foundation, P.O. Box 790, Menomonie, WI 54751-0790; or The Southwest Indian Foundation, P.O. Box 86, Gallup, NM 87301.

Arrangements by South-Wickgood & Fortkamp Funeral Chapel, Columbus, Ohio.