Geraldine Catherine Antonich, longtime Vashon resident, passed away peacefully, Jan.13, 2017 with her family by her side. "Gerry", the youngest & last remaining member of the Mike (Marko) & Katie Antonich family, was born in Seattle, Dec. 14, 1932, joining her brothers Ernie, Kenny & Mickey (Mark). Gerry was raised in a Croatian-American home & throughout her life she was very proud of her heritage. Her father immigrated from Dalmatia (Ilovik) & had ties to the commercial fishing community & her mother's parent's(Jiadross) immigrated from Dalmatia (Veli Losinj) as well, so the family grew up enjoying many traditional Croatian dishes/pastries & often spoke Croatian in their home, but at the same time, were very proud to be Americans. As an adult, Gerry attended many Croatian events in the Seattle/Tacoma area, especially loved Croatian Hymns & was a longtime member of the American Slavic Women's Club of Seattle.



As a toddler, the family moved to Alaska for several years, then the family came back to Seattle, living on Queen Anne Hill, where Gerry graduated from St Anne's Grade School. Gerry had fond memories of those years & organized many class reunions. Around 1947, her family purchased a small farm on Vashon Island, off the former "Laughlin Road" by Center, where they tended beautiful gardens, raised animals & enjoyed their quiet country lifestyle. Since Gerry was the only daughter, she always helped her mother with cooking & baking & entertaining family and friends who would come to visit. She graduated from Vashon High School in 1951.



Gerry's faith & her family were always front & center throughout her life. Gerry was a very intelligent & well read person, with a talent for journalism. Gerry worked as an administrative assistant for physicians & for the ferry system & worked as a nursing assistant in Seattle, which she found very rewarding. She was very precise, which was an asset in her work, caring for the sick. Later, she worked many years as a prison chaplain, ministering to the incarcerated in Seattle & McNeil Island. Due to the impact of her Father's death & her Brother's serious illness, she was inspired to write/publish a Christian booklet in the 1980's, which she distributed, on a cross country mission trip from the NW to Virginia & back, driving alone, which was very rewarding for her, as she met many wonderful people in her travels. Gerry was very proud to be a lay member of the Third Order of St. Dominic, for several decades, and strove to live a prayerful life.



Gerry was one of the 1st residents of JG Commons, & was always grateful to the resident's & staff there, as well as Charter House, for their kindness to her & she especially loved her treasured faith community of St John Vianney-Vashon. Gerry is survived by many extended cousins of the Zamberlin/Antonich family in the NW & Bay area, but was closest with her cousin, Christine (Tim) Jovanovich and their children, who loved her deeply and learned many life lessons by her good example.



Recitation of the Rosary, Sat Feb. 4th, 1:00 PM, followed by her Funeral Mass @ 1:30PM @ St John Vianney Catholic Church 16100 - 115 Av SW Vashon, WA 98070, with burial immediately following, at Vashon Cemetery. Reception to follow, St John Vianney Parish Hall. Gerry's life was not always an easy one, but her legacy was to(from her writings) spread the word that we have a Triune God, who lives within each person & cares about our every need.