Rachel Sandra Bilanzich

Rachel Sandra Anne Black Bilanzich

On Wednesday February 24, 2021 our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother slipped quickly into the eternities due to complications of COVID 19.

Rachel Sandra Anne was born on January 29, 1949 to Henry and Elizabeth Black in Belfast, Ireland. She was the first girl to be born on her father’s side in three generations, thus the many names. She had two older brothers John and Harry and one younger brother Bill.

Our mother was a fireball. In her younger years she raised four children with the passion of an Irish woman. She loved singing; tennis and watching her children excel at dance, sports, piano and scholastics. She pushed us hard and always brought out the best in her family. She returned to Weber State University to pursue a nursing degree with her best friend Cindy Erickson at the age of 42. She worked as a registered nurse for about five years before returning back to being a full time wife and mother. She fiercely loved her grandchildren and in her later years lived to enjoy all their activities and shenanigans.

Born in Belfast Ireland she found the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionaries at age 12 and she and her brother Bill were baptized. She loved to sing. She was part of a quartet named the Stanmillis Quartet that traveled to different church buildings to sing for many congregations during her teenage years. She loved singing and shared a message of hope, peace and joy that the Savior can bring to your life. She felt she was destined for a life different than where she was raised. At age 18 she had the opportunity to come to the United States with a mission president named President Jaussi she had grown to know through church activity. He was kind enough to sponsor her and she moved to attend Ricks College in Idaho. Her first summers she spent in California working at a Dairy Queen in a country where she would eventually spend the remainder of her life.

She also worked at the Mission Home in Salt Lake City as a secretary coordinating the many logistics of missionary service. An institute dance at the University of Utah is where she met her eternal companion for the first time. John Bilanzich had been invited by some of his cousins to attend a church sponsored dance. He was not a member of the church, but was attending the U of U pharmacy school. There began a life together with all its ups and downs, trials and joys. John joined the Church after dating for about a couple of years and was baptized by President Jaussi in Bear Lake in October 1972; he said it was a little chilly. They were married on December 9, 1972, and sealed in the temple 1 year later on December 11, 1973 which she considered her real anniversary.

She loved Jesus Christ and taught her family how to follow him. She enjoyed many church callings, but was most happy in the primary where she would teach and sing with all the precious children. She was a dedicated mother and home maker which was her top priority. Her selfless service to her children and grandchildren will forever be remembered. Her greatest gift was time, which she gave liberally. Heaven received an angel back this week, may God hold you close until we meet again.

Anne is survived by her husband: John Bilanzich, her four children: Travis (Tamara) Bilanzich, Brandon (Debbie) Bilanzich, Lauren (Malachi) Goff, Lindsey (Nate) Rizley, Grandchildren: TJ, Madison, Lacy Bilanzich; Caitlin Bilanzich; Ava, Lilly, Claire, Ruby, Malachi Goff; Abby, Chloe, Liam Rizley, and her brother Bill (Gaynor) Black.

Anne is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Elizabeth Black, brothers Harry and John Black.

No words can express the gratitude we have for all the dedicated healthcare providers at the Layton Parkway Hospital ICU and McKay-Dee Hospital ER that cared for our mother over the past month during her worst of times. May God bless you and your families for your unselfish and dedicated service.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 1, 2021 at Layton Lindquist Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road, Layton, Utah.  Friends may visit family Monday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary prior to the funeral service.

Those who desire to attend in person are welcome. There will also be a live stream of services for those who wish to attend virtually online.

Services will be live streamed and may be viewed by going to www.lindquistmortuary.com and scrolling to the bottom of Anne’s obituary page.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Anne please dedicate 15 minutes to each of your children, grandchildren or loved ones singing a song or reading a book.

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