Maria J. (Polanetz) Gorich 95 years, of Brockton died Thursday July 23, 2009 at BayPointe Nursing and Rehabilitation after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Johann Gorich, Sr. who died in 1964. Maria was born and raised in Hallein, Austria and moved with her family to Brockton in 1956. She was devoted to her home and family and took pride in having raised her children as a young widow. She was known as “Ma Gorich” to all her children’s friends and they found her home to be a safe haven.
Maria had been a resident of Belair Towers for the past 17 years. She enjoyed her daily walks to DW Field Park where she enjoyed picking wild flowers and social stops along the way. She became known to many as the “Flower Lady.”
She is survived by her children Helma Donovan of Bridgewater; Lydia Weaver and her husband John of Ft. Walton Beach, FL; John Gorich and his wife Judy of Wilkesboro, NC; Thomas Gorich of N. Wilkesboro, NC; Otto R. Gorich of Denver, CO and Alfred Gorich and his wife Karen of Middleboro, several grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was also the grandmother of the late Leslee Gorich. Maria was the last survivor of five children.
Maria’s family sends special thanks to her “Guardian Angels” and special friends Shirley Anderson, Lee and Lorraine Thayer and “Pia” Dassantos all of Brockton and her BAT bus drivers Scotty, Timmy, Handsome, Diane, Nicky and Alice
Visiting hours in the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton Monday 5-8pm with a prayer service at 5:30pm. Burial at a later date in Melrose Cemetery. Please consider donations in Maria’s name to My Brothers Keeper, P.O. Box 338, N. Easton, MA 02356.