Christine Helen Governo Barnes Obituary
Christine Helen (Bajt) Governo Barnes passed away on December 1 2011 at Banner Gardens Hospice House in Mesa, Ariz. She was 97 ½ years old. Christine was born on Good Friday, April 9, 1914 in Joliet, Ill.
On December 3, 1932, she married Anthony Governo. They had four sons, Anthony "Jack," Carmen "Bud," Richard and William. After her first husband’s death in 1951, she learned to survive and thrive raising her four boys as a young, single mother. Christine married her second husband, Elta Barnes in 1962. They eventually moved to Blissfied, Mich. where she worked as a bank teller at Jipson Carter Bank. After her retirement she moved to Mesa, Ariz. with her husband. Her second husband, Elta Barnes, preceded her in death in 1987.
Christine was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was also a great baker, making all sorts of cookies for Christmas and other holidays. Her grandchildren especially loved her dinner rolls and raisin bread. She loved books and spent most days reading. She lived alone in her own home until being admitted to the hospital.
She is survived by three of her sons, Anthony "Jack" (Meredith) Governo and Richard (Judith) Governo all of Mesa, AZ and William Governo of Trenton, MI, stepson, Dean Barnes of Toledo, OH, sisters, Ann Parker of Joliet, IL and Julia Tenge of Mesa, AZ, nine grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, 17 great great grandchildren and one great great great grandchild.
She was preceded in death her first husband, Anthony Governo, second husband, Elta Barnes, son Carmen "Bud" Governo in 2006, her mother and father, grandson, Steven Governo in 2001, stepsons, Roger Barnes and Phil Barnes, brothers, John Bajt and Joseph Bajt and sister, Mary Putrich.
A visitation will be held on Monday, December 5, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 10:00 at All Saints Catholic Church, 1534 N Recker Rd., Mesa, Ariz. She will be laid to rest at Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfiled, Michigan