Barbara Arlene (Rizzi) Drewitz
Obituary
Our beloved mother, Barbara Arlene Drewitz passed away peacefully in her longtime home, with her loving family by her side.
Her parents, Mary and Peter Rizzi had nine children, of which she was the youngest and only surviving family member. Our mom spent her entire life living in Gilroy, of which she was ever so proud.
She met the love of her life, Robert "Smedley "Drewitz, while he was in the Coast Guard during the Korean War. They married and raised three daughters, Mary Ann Winkle (Harlan), Robin Todd (Bill), Shirley "Lee" Blaettler (John). She was also blessed with six grandchildren: Daniel Burge, Kylie Simmons, Kurt Simmons, Aaron Todd, Morgan Blaettler and Greg Ferraro as well as eight great grandchildren. She had many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly and treated her with care and respect, of which our hearts are full of gratitude.
Mom and dad shared their love of sports with us girls, to ensure we each grew up to be Giants, Warriors, and 49er fans! It goes without saying that Grammie cheered on her grandchildren, during countless sports games and many road trips.
She loved to have her family over for large Italian dinners and was known for her homemade pies, especially her banana cream. She loved to dance with dad, sing and harmonize with her sister Gloria and enjoyed hosting New Year's Eve Banga Cauda Pedro parties. She also loved going to the beach, gambling, and traveling to Cursolo, Italy to visit the Rizzi Family home.
Our mom was a truly kind, poised, beautiful, intelligent, and elegant woman. She gathered friends easily and carried forward many treasured, lifelong friendships. This was a gift that unfolded throughout her life.
Our family is grateful to Gilroy sisters Rachel Lerma and Mary Avila for looking after our mother with great care and kindness.
Mom was a member of St. Mary Parish, Gilroy Elks Lodge, Women in Touch II, Gilroy Foundation, and a Past President of Women in Chamber. She volunteered at St. Josephs, St. Mary Parish, and the Gilroy Museum. She was recognized by the Gilroy Historical Society as a "Person Who Shaped Gilroy" Heritage Homage 2020.
She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.
A Visitation will be held on Monday, February 19, 2024, starting at 4:00 pm, followed by a Vigil Service at 6:00 pm at Habing Family Funeral Home, Gilroy. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 10:00 am at St. Mary Church followed by burial at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park, Gilroy.
The family requests that donations be made to St. Joseph's, The Alzheimer's Association or The American Heart Association.
Published in Gilroy Dispatch, Morgan Hill Times and Hollister Free Lance · February 13, 2024