Marie Covich Frentz

"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."

Invictus- By William Ernest Hensley

This insightful and predictive quote was chosen by Marie at the age of 17 to accompany her senior photo in the 1946 Biloxi High annual. It encapsulates her life.

Marie Covich Frentz, 93, died on March 14, 2022, after a long, full, well-loved life. She was born in Biloxi, MS, at the old Biloxi Hospital on Highway 90. Marie was raised on Point Cadet, “The Point”, the daughter of Croatian immigrants. She graduated from Biloxi High School in 1946, where she was a majorette in the high school band.  Marie then attended college at the Mississippi University for Women (MSCW) in Columbus, MS, but cut short her education to marry and raise a family. At the age of 65, she enrolled at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and attended the Jefferson Davis Campus, where she studied art and fell in love with pottery, thanks to her teacher, Mary Ott Davidson. Marie became an accomplished potter and artist, displaying and selling her pottery at many Coast art festivals, as well as through the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs. She became known locally as “The Nun Lady”, because of her popular miniature pottery nuns, modeled after Sister Adrienne, the matriarch of the former Holy Angels in Biloxi. She also made countless pottery Fleur-de-lis necklaces that she happily shared with her friends and acquaintances and even with many strangers she met during her frequent visits to area casinos. 

Marie was a lifelong bowler who earned many awards and accomplishments, two highlights being inducted into the Mississippi Bowling Hall of Fame, and becoming the first woman in Mississippi to bowl a 700 three game series.

On her 90th birthday, at a celebration at The Slavonian Lodge, Biloxi Mayor FoFo Gillich proclaimed May 24, 2018 to be “Marie Covich Frentz Day”, an honor she truly cherished.

Marie was predeceased by her parents, Jerko (Jerry) Covich, Sr. and Lucy Kovach Covich, her brothers, Jerry Covich, Jr., Rudy Covich and Ronnie Covich, and by her sisters, Rita Forbes, and Rosalie Isola.

Marie was a wonderful mother, and grandmother, (affectionately known as “Ree-Ree”) and great-grandmother to five children, twelve grandchildren, and five great granddaughters, with another on the way. 

Marie is survived by her dear sister, Betty Jean Hughes, and her husband, Kenny, of Biloxi, both whom she loved immensely.

Marie is also survived by her children, Stuart J. Frentz (Margaret), Willow Street, PA, Kevin T. Frentz (Linn) Ocean Springs, MS, Leigh Ann Scharr (Donald) Ocean Springs, MS, Veronica Roth Sayles (Richard) Dallas,TX, and Mozzie Parker, DVM (Donnie) Woolmarket, MS.

Her grandchildren (whom she proudly and deeply loved) include Zachary (Austen) Epstein-Frentz, Nathaniel Frentz, Therese Frentz (David Rice), Thera Frentz Storm (Nate), Devin Frentz, Travis Scharr, MD (Nerma), Alex Scharr (Ashley), Nick Roth (Kelly), Rachael Roth, Jake Parker (Johanna), Grant Parker (Kaitlyn) and Jesse Parker. She is also survived by her great granddaughters, Clarisse and Jordan Epstein-Frentz, Carlie Storm, Mia and Ella Scharr and much anticipated baby girl Scharr due in July 2022. 

Our mother was a forthright and courageous woman, proud of her Yugoslavian/Croatian heritage. She was a strong and loving mother, who expected us to do well academically and who raised us all to strive to emulate her strength and conviction. She was our teacher and our biggest fan. We hope we can continue to make her proud. We miss her and love her more than words can express, but in our own special phrase, “We Love You, Puno Puno! Which means “Plenty, Plenty”.

Marie is also survived by her many beloved nieces and nephews, along with the countless friends of all ages she has made throughout her life. We thank each of them for their love and support. 

Our family would like to thank the amazing caregivers at The Lighthouse in Ocean Springs who took great care of Mom this past year. We also thank Notre Dame Hospice for their guidance and care. 

In accordance with our Mom’s wishes, there will be no services at this time, but we will have a Celebration of Marie’s Life at a later date.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Marie Covich Frentz.