Verna Arling (Eddy) Barich, 96, died March 15 at her home. Verna was born Aug. 2, 1911 in Hibbing, Minn., to George and Willa Mina Eddy. She graduated from Hibbing High School in 1929, then received her nursing degree from the University of Minnesota and worked as a registered nurse.
During the depression, she used her nurses training and worked to help support her family. On Dec. 29, 1934, she married Dewey F. Barich and moved to Flint. Dewey's teaching career took them from Flint to Trenton; Mount Pleasant; Kent, Ohio and Ypsilanti. Verna joined him in this adventure. While supporting Dewey's career, Verna managed to continue her interest in medicine. During WW II Verna worked in public health, working to educate young mothers in how to care for their babies.
After her own children were mostly grown Verna went back to work again as a nurse, working at St. Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor and at Mercywood Hospital.
When Dewey retired in 1976 they moved to Tucson, Ariz. They moved to Green Valley, Ariz. in 1995. After Dewey died in 2001, Verna moved to Midland, then to Ohio.
In Arizona, Verna became involved in hospice programs. She also became interested in Native American history and culture, collecting many pieces of fine art.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, and was an avid swimmer well into her 80s.
Surviving Verna are her brother, Warren Eddy and his wife, Sandra of Seattle, Wash., three children; Judith Robinson of Tucson, Ariz., Dewey Jay Barich and his wife, Jaye of Dover, Del., and Wendy deBear and her husband, Richard of Worthington, Ohio; 12 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her parents; sisters, Kella, Gail and Harriett; brother, George; and one daughter, Barbara Pani of Midland.
Cremation has taken place. Verna has requested that her cremains be interred with Barbara's at Trinity Episcopal Church in Belleville.
A celebration of Verna's life will be at 2 p.m. on May 8th at Trinity Episcopal Church.
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 SOUTHWICK-GOOD & FORTKAMP FUNERAL CHAPEL, Columbus, Ohio, www.southwickfuneral.com
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