Ann Pamachena

ANN PAMACHENA (NEE DELICH)
Ann Pamachena (nee Delich), age 105, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at Golden Living Fountain View Center in Portage, IN. Ann was born in Gary, IN on Dec. 13, 1908 to late Serbian-pioneer immigrant parents: Dane and Jelka Delich. She was a lifelong very dedicated member of St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and an officer of several of its auxiliary organizations. At age 16, she became active at the parish as a faithful member of S.S.S. "Karageorge Choir." From those early days, Ann was very gifted and she was trained in music when Karl Malden and his director father were quite involved in various programs at the church in Gary, IN. From that point, Ann devoted much of her life to lovingly serving various organizations at three different St. Sava sites during her lifetime. In the early 1920s, she was very active in the the Kolo Sestara (Circle of Serbian Sisters), an organization which always played a very important role in nearly every activity at the church. She was President of the Kolo Sestara from 1989- 1991 when the new church was consecrated. In addition, Ann served many offices in numerous church organizations. She also volunteered at countless Serbian functions on a national/Diocesan level. During the Great Depression, Ann worked for W. P. Patterson, a Gary loan office. Later, she served as secretary for several years for Katherine Patton, a respected Gary City Council member. On January 19, 1946, Ann was married to Walter Pamachena. He preceded her in death on December 24, 1987. Together, they operated "Wally's Grocery Store" and "Wally's Package Liquors" (of Hobart). In addition to her husband and parents, Ann's siblings: Milena Romich, Olga Gurick, Milan, Peter and Daniel Delich also preceded her in death. Ann is survived by her two loving step-sons: Robert (Barbara) Pamechena of Mesa, AZ Ronald and (Kay) Pamechena of Elkhart, IN; five grandchildren: Rhonda (Ed) Wesselman, Vickie McCarthy, Robert (JoAnn) Pamachena, Ronald Pamachena, Roger (Cassie) Pamechena; four great grandchildren: Christi, Megan, Brandon, and Benjamin; four great-great grandchildren: Lilli, Ethan, Katherine and Henry. Ann is also survived by many nieces and nephews and Kumovi. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, 10:00 AM Directly at St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN with V. Rev. Marko Matic, officiating. A visitation will begin at 9:00 AM PRIOR to the start of the funeral services at church. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Gary. Memorial contributions may be donated to St Sava Church, or Astera Care Hospice of Valparaiso. The family wishes to greatly thank Astera Care Hospice and the Golden Living Center for the compassionate care Ann received. For any further questions please call Savich & Semplinski Funeral Directors at Burns Funeral Home (219) 769-0044.