Gizella E. Bochi, 94, passed away on September 2, 2015. She was born in Toledo on March 11, 1921 to Andrew and Kathryn (Priscsak) Bochi. Gizi graduated from Waite High School in 1939 and was the owner and hairdresser at Rudan's Beauty Parlor in downtown Toledo. She enjoyed traveling the world with her sister, and even met Pope Paul IV while visiting the Vatican in 1972. Gizi dedicated her life to her family, church and community. She was a member of St. Stephen's Catholic Church where she served as a Eucharistic minister, Rosary mother and member of the Alter and Rosary Societies and countless other volunteer positions. Gizi was one of the last surviving charter members of the VFW Post 4906 Women's Auxiliary, as well as being a member of the Friends of the Birmingham Library for over 30 years. Her Hungarian heritage was extremely important part of her life. She had never missed the Birmingham Ethnic Festival in over 41 years, and was the hardest working cook and baker for the event. This past August, Gizi and her sister, Betty, were recognized as the Co-Chairs of the 41st Birmingham Festival. Gizi learned Hungarian embroidery in order to renew this tradition in the Birmingham neighborhood. She was a member of the St. Stephen's embroidery group as well as the one at "Reformatus Templom." When she was not busy with all of these groups, Gizi enjoyed her flower and vegetable gardens as well as crocheting. Gizi will be greatly missed by her family and the Birmingham neighborhood.
Gizella is survived by her devoted sister, Elizabeth; brother, Joseph "Clark" (Marian); sister-in-law, Betty Jane Bochi; nephews, Robert (Dianne), David (Donna), James (Annie), Andrew III, and Christopher Tolsen; and niece, Melody (Rick) Hamilton. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Andrew Bochi, Jr.; sister, Rosemary Bochi-Tolsen; nephew, Leonard Tolsen.
Friends may visit at the Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Rd., on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. There will be a rosary service at 4:00 p.m. and a VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 4906 service at 6:00 p.m. The family will greet friends on Wednesday at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, 2018 Consaul St., Toledo at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Ignatius Cemetery. Those wishing an expression of sympathy in Gizi's name are asked to consider St. Stephen's Church, Birmingham Branch Library, or the VFW Post 4906 Cancer Fund.