Eunice Vlahovich

Obituary Eunice J. Vlahovich 1921 - 2010 Eunice J. Vlahovich, 89, longtime resident of Tacoma, Washington, died peacefully at her care home in Lake Forest Park, Washington on Monday, May 31, 2010 after a five-year battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Born January 29, 1921 in Tacoma, Eunice Jakomina Morin was raised in Gig Harbor on Dorotich Street. Her parents, Mary and Martin Morin were pioneers in the Croatian commercial fishing industry based in Gig Harbor. She graduated from Peninsula High School where she played the bass drum in the school band and played the piano, sang, and performed in school musicals. She was voted "Miss Gig Harbor 1939." She was a parishioner of St. Nicholas Church and, as a teenager, played the organ at Mass. In 1939, she married Anthony F. Vlahovich and moved to Old Town in Tacoma. Together they lovingly welcomed seven children. In addition to being a member of St. Patrick Parish for over 70 years, she belonged to many groups and clubs including the St. Patrick's Altar Society, the St. Patrick's Senior Group and Prime-Timers Club, the Catholic Daughters of America (Tacoma Court #977), the Slavonian-American Benevolent Society, and the Point Defiance Senior Center. Eunice loved music, gardening, knitting, ceramics, baking, and playing cards. She played the piano daily and loved to sing, performing with the Melodear Singers and the Fun-Time Singers during her later years. She also taught a knitting class to other seniors at the Point Defiance Senior Center. Her sense of humor and fun-loving, easy-going personality brought great joy to her friends and family. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, her beloved husband, and her daughter, Linda Vlahovich-Sundin. She is survived by her children: Kathleen and Ell Schober of Port Angeles, WA; Richard and Betty Vlahovich of Tacoma, WA; Janice and Roy Flaherty of Oregon City, OR; Michael and Paula Vlahovich of St. Michaels, MD; Mary and Robert Ruth of Des Moines, WA; and Patti and Bill Bagnall of Bothell, WA; as well as 18 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick Catholic Church (1001 North "J" St., Tacoma, 98403) on Monday, June 14 at 11:00 AM. A rosary will be prayed on Sunday, June 13 at 7:00 PM also at St. Patrick Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Patrick Church or at any Catholic Parish.