Ann Marie Bulich, 80, of Catskill
This earth surrendered an Irish rose, “the sweetest flower that grows,” when Ann Marie Bulich was welcomed home to the Lord on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016.
Born April 26, 1935 in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, little Annie grew up ensconced in the love and warmth of her Irish cousins, and immersed in the Celtic culture of song and dance, which would long be a part of her life.
After graduating from The Good Shepherd School, Ann worked as a secretary in Manhattan before her life changed and her destiny was sealed during a vacation in the “Irish Alps.” It was there, at Donny and Rose Lennon’s Green Lantern in Purling, that she met her country boy, the love of her life, Frank Bulich.
Ann would be the steady but compassionate partner behind her strong-willed husband, becoming wife to one, mother to 10, grandmother of 22, and greatgrandmother of four. She brought balance to all of their lives and instilled in her children a firm faith in God and abiding love for one another. She did not tolerate gossip from her daughters (who tested her, regardless), and showed her sons that possessing a soft heart was a masculine virtue, and that she would always cook whatever they brought her from their little hunting excursions, provided they cleaned it first. She packed nine children in the station wagon on Sunday mornings, first for Mass and prayer, which presumably gave her the strength to endure the family car trip that often followed on Sundays, with Frank at the wheel and with those same nine children, growing more boisterous, off to visit her husband’s siblings and their own families scattered around the Catskills.
Beyond her commitment to family, Ann was a devoted member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, where she served as lector on countless Sundays, when she somehow managed to keep one eye on the holy word, and the other on her large brood, who filled two pews and often threatened to erupt in giggles over some silliness that took place on the car ride to church. Her deep faith bore her through the tragic loss of her first-born son, and years later, the loss of her first-born grandson.
Her voice could also be heard, loud and clear, from the bleachers and sidelines at the numerous athletic events her children participated in at St. Patrick’s High School, shouting “Get those rebounds,” the family cheerleader clad in green from head to foot.
She cherished the time spent with those she loved: dancing a waltz with Frank, singing an Irish melody with her cousins and friends from “the city,” playing cards with the ladies at family gatherings, laughing it up with her local friends at various school fundraisers, traveling with other couples to Vegas and other destinations, watching her grandchildren hunt for treasures hidden in the yard and around her house ... and those she loved were many. She was a beacon for her family and all who knew her, and her spirit will remain such.
Ann now joins in Heaven her husband, Frank Bulich; her son, Christopher Bulich; her grandson and her “sunshine,” Matthew Walsh; her parents, Mary and Michael Gray, and her brother, Jerry Gray.
Left grieving her loss most dearly are her children and their spouses: Mark Bulich, Karen Bulich Moreau, Christina and Timothy Walsh, Colleen and Timothy Stanton, Johanna and Peter Sparling, Bernadette and Walter Kowalski, Michael and Michelle Bulich, Jeffrey Bulich, and Joseph and Amy Bulich.
Left inspired by her life, and now her memory, are her grandchildren and their spouses and children: Danielle Moreau and her children Autumn and Dominick Adams; Justine Moreau; Jacolyn (Moreau) and Michael Bastasch and son Michael Francis Bastasch; Alexandra Moreau; John Moreau; Jessica Walsh; Meghann (Walsh) and Marc Meybaum and son Michael Matthew Meybaum; Mark Walsh; Joseph Walsh; Nicholas Stanton; Samuel Stanton; Eric Stanton; Zachary Stanton; Thomas Stanton; Kelly Stanton; Tyler Bulich; Carly Bulich; Jeremy Bulich; Anna Bulich; Katie Bulich; and Hunter Bulich.
She also leaves many cherished friends, brothers-in-law and sisters-inlaw, and dozens of nieces and nephews, who always found her basement freezer brimming with popsicles and ice cream sandwiches after the family softball and soccer matches.
As her children and grandchildren gathered at the family farm following her passing Sunday morning, they observed a pair of eagles flying over the Embought, and knew they would always remain under the protective eye of Ann and Frank, their Mom and Dad, their Ma and Pa.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 2to4and6to9p.m.at Millspaugh Camerato Funeral Home, 139 Jefferson Hgts., Catskill. The funeral procession will form on Friday at 9 a.m. at the funeral home and process to Sacred Heart Church, Cairo, for a 10:30 a.m. funeral Mass. Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Catskill.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, P.O. 1525, Ranson, W.Va. 25438.
Messages of condolence may be made to MillspaughCamerato.com. Arrangements are by Robert J. Gaus.