Mary Ruth "Woochie" Foretich

Mary Ruth "Woochie" Thompson Foretich, age 92, passed away on February 8, 2022.
Mary was born in Shreveport, LA and lived in Gulfport, MS for the majority of her life. She attended Gulfport High School and graduated in the class of 1946, she then attended Perkinston Junior College. She then married Allen Joseph "Pat" Foretich in 1947.
Mary worked in the accounting department at Keesler Air Force Base, and at Sears. She also worked at the Harrison County Child Development Center as a secretary. She worked with her husband in the Harrison County Justice Court as his assistant then was appointed Justice Court Judge, district 2 Harrison County, upon his death in 1984. Mary was appointed to complete his term then was elected to the position and served 19 years until 2004. She then worked at H&R Block for 5 tax seasons as a tax preparer until she retired at age 84.
Mrs. Foretich became involved with the Quota Club where she served in most all administrative positions and officers. She was a member of the Gulfport Exchange Club, Eastern Star, and was instrumental in forming the South Mississippi Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse in 1988 where she served on the Board of Directors. She was a member of the Mississippi City United Methodist Church. She served in many official positions from chair of the Administrative Council & Lay Leaders. Mary represented MCUMC at the Mississippi Conference for decades. She coordinated volunteers from all over the country during Katrina relief work and was honored in 2006 as one of Blue Cross Blue Shield Ageless Heroes.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Joseph "Pat" Foretich, her parents Glen and Mattie Mae Marvin Thompson; her brother James Robert "Jimbob" Thompson; her son, Anthony G. Foretich; her grandchildren, Jennifer Maria Foretich and John-Perkins Foretich, and her great grandson, Burke Foretich.
Mrs Foretich is survived by her children, Allan Joseph "Joe Foretich (Camille), Robert McClelland Foretich, Barbara Foretich Harriel (David), and Karen Sherlock (Bob); her grandchildren, Monica Wendel (Nathan), Rita Foretich (Hank Harms), Stephanie McKey (Brett), Drew Foretich, Callie Ladner (John), Alexander Meyer (Lauren Sharp), Ethan Harriel, Monica Olsson-Unruh, and Maria-Lynn Olsson-Peters; her great grandchildren: Ella Wendel, Dean Wendel, Lucinda Grace Harms, Baby Boy Harms, Ruby McKey, Julian McKey, Cole Foretich, Elizabeth Ladner, Stella Ladner, Amelia Ladner, Lilly Meyer, Bradley Thomas and Chloe Olson-Unruh; along with numerous nieces, nephews, many friends that all loved and respected her.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Mississippi City United Methodist Church, 219 Courthouse Rd., Gulfport, MS 39507 or your favorite charity in her memory.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022, at Mississippi City United Methodist Church, Courthouse Rd., at 11:00am, the visitation will begin at 10:00am.
Riemann Family Funeral Home, 9113 Kiln Delisle Rd., Pass Christian served the family. An online guestbook may be signed, and condolences offered at www.riemannfamily.com.