Myrtle Diaz Barhanovich, age 98, of Biloxi, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, February 14, 2015.
Myrtle was born on December 16, 1916, to the late Henry and Olivia (Boney) Diaz, where she was the youngest of 10 children, 7 sisters and 2 brothers. She met the love of her life, Yankie Barhanovich, when she was 16 years old, married him 4 years later, and remained married for 49 years, one month shy of their 50th wedding anniversary if not for his unexpected death. Together, they raised 5 children, as she was a stay-at-home mom her entire life. She was a devout Catholic, attended mass daily, and served on the altar society, where she was the oldest living parishioner of Nativity B.V.M. Catholic Church until the time of her death. She also loved playing Bingo at the Elks Lodge on Friday nights with her sisters in her later years.
She is predeceased in death by her loving husband, Frank “Yankie” Barhanovich, her son Mark Barhanovich, her stillborn daughter Rita Barhanovich, her grandson Roy T. Ebberman III, her great-grandson Zack Fayard, her great-granddaughter, Candace Polite, seven sisters Winnie Fountain, Maggie Borries, Bertha Hutcherson, Stella Cannette, Rita Steinweinder, Dot Page, and Juliet Wheeler, two brothers Henry Diaz and George Diaz, and many nieces and nephews.
Survivors include two daughters Martha Ann Ebberman (Roy), Kathy Polite (Chuck), two sons Frankie Barhanovich, and Kenny Barhanovich (Diane), a daughter-in-law Jerrie Barhanovich, six grandsons Dean Ebberman, Kenny Barhanovich, Jason Polite (Angela), Christian Polite, Chuckie Polite, and Steven Barhanovich, nine granddaughters Donna Derouen (Darney), Chelle Barhanovich, Suzanne Barhanovich, Renee Barhanovich, Rachel Hebert (Greg), Jennifer Morano (Brandon), Amy Polite, Jamie Mitchell, and Dana Barhanovich, nine great granddaughters, nine great grandsons, one great-great granddaughter, and two great-great grandsons.
The family would like to send a special thank you to her compassionate caregivers, Dana, Mary, Bernadette, Rose, and Vera, as well as Pinnacle Hospice for their support and service during her final months.
Visitation will be on Monday, February 16, from 10 am until 12 noon, with a 12 noon Mass of Christian Burial, all at Nativity BVM Cathedral. Burial will follow in Southern Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.