Cecilia Mary Baricevic, a leading expert in refugee relocation, died Tuesday, March 26, at her home in Portland. Miss Baricevic was 81. Until March of 2013, Miss Baricevic was Program Manager for Refugee Resettlement at the Catholic Charities office of the Diocese of Portland.

Educated at St. Mary’s and the Cathedral School in Portland, Cecilia graduated in 1953 from Seattle University and received a Master’s in Social Work from the Catholic University of America in 1969. Miss Baricevic’s work with refugees began in January 1961 with the Cuban Unaccompanied Minors Refugee Program administered by Catholic Services for Children, an organization which later merged with Catholic Charities. Over the course of her long career, Miss Baricevic worked in many capacities with Congress, the Federal Government and other national and international organizations on the important issues of refugee relocation.

Miss Baricevic was a lifelong resident of Portland and a member of the choir of St. Mary’s Cathedral for 60 years.

A beloved Aunt, ‘Teta Malena’ is survived by 22 nieces and nephews; 65 great-nieces and nephews; and nine great-great-nieces and nephews.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 3, at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1716 NW Davis Street.

The Rosary and viewing will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 2, at Riverview Abbey Funeral Home, 0319 SW Taylors Ferry Road.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement, 2740 SE Powell Blvd., Portland, OR 97202.