May 11, 2018

Marilyn Jean Brigich, 81, of Canonsburg, died Thursday, May 10, 2018, in her home, with her loving husband holding her hand.

She was born November 6, 1936, in Akron, Ohio, a daughter of Stanley and Isabelle Badgett Bronco.

Mrs. Brigich was a graduate of Hickory High School and Robert Morris Business College.

She began her career as a secretary at Koppers Co. in Pittsburgh and then quit working to raise her family. She returned to work as a secretary for RCA in Meadow Lands, then as a tax preparer at H&R Block in Canonsburg, a secretary for Colaizzo Agency in Canonsburg and as executive secretary for United Dairy Farms.

Later, she worked as a secretary for Venice Presbyterian and Houston United Presbyterian Church, also serving as an elder in both churches. She was also secretary of Washington Presbytery.

Mrs. Brigich was a judge of elections for the election board of a Chartiers Township precinct.

She also worked for the family business, Brigich Farms, with her husband.

On October 5, 1957, she married Marko Brigich, with whom she celebrated 60 years of marriage.

She was also very active with St. George Jr. Tamburitzans of Cokeburg, serving as treasurer, was a 50-year member of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 567, where she served as secretary, and a member of Cokeburg Kolo group with her husband, until she had her first child. She and her husband, Marko, were honored as Man and Woman of the Year of the Four County Lodges of Western Pennsylvania Croatian Fraternal Union.

Mrs. Brigich enjoyed traveling, having gone to Canada many times and Croatia twice. She also loved reading, crocheting, polka dancing on Saturday nights and going to the casino.

Surviving, in addition to her husband, are four children, Stefani Stanish (Michael), Mark Brigich (Audra), Matthew Brigich (Janie) and Nancy Robaugh (Eric), all of Canonsburg; 10 grandchildren, Melissa Holden (Chris), Steven and Jeffrey Stanish, Jessica, John (Vanessa), Matthew, Casie and Marko Brigich and Isabella and Brady Robaugh; six great-grandchildren, Anna, Ava, Hoyt, Lelana, Jayden and Josie; a sister, Mildred Baker of Washington; many nieces and nephews; and her caregiver, Sue Culp.

She also leaves behind her beloved dog, Max.

Amedisys Hospice provided her and her family with continual care and support.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, with the Rev. Craig Kephart officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Spring Cemetery, Chartiers Township.

Memorial contributions may be made to Croatian Fraternal Union, Brigich Family Scholarship Fund, 100 Delaney Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.

Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.