Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Zaninovich, Mary K. 2004
**********************************************************
Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/obits/obitsca/obitsca.htm
**********************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
K Taylor bluewolf@onemain.com August 25, 2004, 7:26 pm

The Bakersfield Californian 
Mary K. Zaninovich
Services: Thurs., Aug. 26, 10 a.m.

Mary K. Zaninovich was born on September 24, 1916 in Sacramento, CA to Antone 
and Minnie Zaninovich, an only daughter in a family of four children. Her 
immigrant parents came from village Grablje, Hvar, Croatia, arriving in the 
early 1900s. 

The Zaninovichs moved to Californias central valley in 1919, to the rural area 
of Dinuba-Orange Cove, where the children attended schools. Upon graduating 
from Dinuba High School, Mary attended the Fresno 4-Cs College. Following the 
untimely death of her father in 1937, Delano became their new home. Here farm 
land was acquired, which evolved into a successful A&N Ranch, producing 
quality table grapes. Mary was an active partner in the venture, filling the 
position of Finance Secretary.

In her later years, Mary was to gratify her love for travel. The highlight of 
her worldwide tours was an audience with Pope Pious XII, in the Vatican, along 
with her fellow pilgrims. It was a moment of splendor, a spiritual joy, that 
was to remain an everlasting memory for her. Another most meaningful 
occurrence was on one of Marys several overseas visits to her parents former 
homeland, in Croatia. There Mary witnessed vast material scarities, caused by 
the ravages of war in the area. Together with her mother, Minnie, and in a 
spirit of caring, sharing and giving, the mother and daughter assisted the 
villagers, both relatives and friends in their dire needs. And these Acts of 
Mercy were generously repeated over the years.

Marys marked atributes of a thoughtful concern for others was nurtured by her 
parents, Antone and Minnie. Marys brothers and she were aware of their deeply 
held faith. They often heard these words: We want to pass on to you, the 
Christian beliefs that had been handed to us. And so it was that Mary found 
her new membership in Delanos St. Marys Church, an important part of her life. 
The priest and parishioners soon discovered that a rare jewel had arrived in 
town! They were to know and be blessed with Marys devoted years of tireless 
voluntaryism in their parish. No matter what the needs be perhaps the demands 
of preparing printing and distribution of the Parish weekly bulletin, maybe 
some lessor chore, Mary could be counted on as an unfailingly dependable doer.

Mary enjoyed memberships in several Delano organizations: St. Marys Altar 
Society, Hospital Auxiliary, Historical Society, Womans Club, the American-
Slavonic Social Club of Delano, the Y.L.I.-Young Ladies Institute-Infant of 
Prague #62 of Delano. Upon her recent move to Bakersfield; she continued her 
affiliation with the Y.L.I., St. Margaret Marys #82, who awarded Mary a 
coveted 50-year membership pin, in recognition of her loyal and meritorious 
services, often in her role as Financial Secretary. Mary was a member of 
Bakersfields St. Philip the Apostle Church.

Mary, a good neighbor she was, in the fullest sense of the word. Let us 
consider these words of a little girl, and now a young lady, Sonya, who shared 
the same neighborhood with Mary for years. She presented this charming 
portrayal and tribute to Mary on her 80th birthday observance:

Teta Mary, a special someone, who never fails to be at your doorstep, when you 
need some company. Bearing goodies in hand, she says in her caring way, Hello, 
my dear I thought you might need some sunshine today! Pretty things she always 
has, collectable treasures a-plenty. But there is something quite unique-for 
this Teta Mary shares her obsessions, with those she loves. So what exactly is 
a Teta Mary? Someone, we feel blessed to call a friend; she is a once-in-a-
lifetime rarity.

These loving words could not have been more eloquently stated. Mary will be 
greatly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her brother, Nick and 
his wife, Anna of Delano; a sister-in-law, Betty Zaninovich, Delano; nephews, 
Stephen Zaninovich, Honolulu, Hawaii; Martin Zaninovich, Vista, California and 
Anthony Zaninovich of Delano; her nieces, Dianne Barrymore, Carlsbad, 
California; Mellisa Zaninovich-Smith, Kailua, Hawaii; Mary Ann Billings, 
Bakersfield; Nicolette Zaninovich, Rimrock, Arizona and Dinna Hochschild of 
Camerillo, California; many grand-nephews, grand-nieces and cousins. Mary was 
preceded in death by her brothers, John and Andrew and her sister-in-law, Rena 
Zaninovich.

Visitation will be held today Wednesday, August 25, at Hopson-Anspach Family 
Mortuary, 620 Oregon Street, Bakersfield. Catholic Funeral Rites will be held 
on Thursday, August 26, at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 7100 Stockdale 
Highway, Bakersfield, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. 
at Reedley Cemetery in Reedley, CA.

Hopson-Anspach Family Mortuary 


Additional Comments:
Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/kern/obits/gob1358zaninovi.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/caobfiles/

File size: 5.4 Kb