Barbara Arlene 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.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. She was an excellent cook, pie maker, dancer, and singer. She retired from her over 30-year career with the Santa Clara County Municipal Court, having clerked for many Judges in South County and befriending many attorneys, co-workers and then some.Barbara was a member of St. Mary Parish Gilroy, Gilroy Elks Lodge, Women in Touch II, Gilroy Foundation and Past President of Women in Chamber. She was a longtime volunteer at St. Joseph’s, 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.