Central 1963 Mary Jodell (Dembkiewicz) Douglas

March 14, 1945 - Aug. 15, 2016

MISHAWAKA - Mary Jodell “Joey” Douglas, 71, of Mishawaka, has fought the good fight; she has finished the race and she has kept the faith and in store for her now is the crown of righteousness which her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ presented to her on Monday, August 15th, at 12:52 pm. After battling cancer for the past 15 months, she left the land of the dying to join those in the land of the living. A celebration of her life will be held for family and friends at Kaniewski Funeral Home on Saturday, August 27th, from 12:00-1:00pm. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 11:00-12:00 pm.

Joey spent most of her days caring about others. Those who knew her will remember her warm, comforting smile, compassionate heart and love of laughter. Joey enjoyed many lasting friendships from her days at Holy Cross Grade School, St. Joseph's and South Bend Central that have endured the test of time as well as her friends from L.S. Ayres, Family & Children's Center and most recently Meijer on Grape Rd. This was never more evident than her last days she spent entertaining a constant flow of visitors and well-wishers.

She was preceded in passing by her parents, Stephen and Helen (Magiera) Dembkiewicz/Douglas; her oldest brother, Dean Stephen; younger brother, Steve (Hoppy); brother-in-law, Phil Ferro; and grandson, Anthony Hoff. She is fondly remembered by her family which includes her son, Darin Hoff, 45, daughter-in-law, Beth, and her grandchildren, Hannah and Matthew of Orlando, and a daughter, Heather Hoff, 38, and granddaughters, Taylor Dugan, 20, Haley Zurbuch, 18, of Mishawaka, and Anthony Hoff. Her brothers and sisters include Sandy Ferro (Phil) of Orlando, Cathy Barkman (Joe) of Mishawaka, Marian Hammontree (Dean) of South Bend, Pam Green (Rick) of Granger, Dean Douglas (Barbara) and Mike Douglas (Patti) of Elkhart, and more than 40 nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews who adored her.

While we are sad that we will now know life without her, it is not without hope that we grieve. We have been blessed by the confident assurance that can only be found in the promise of Jesus Christ. Because she confessed with her mouth and believed in her heart that Jesus Christ was Lord and once and for all defeated death, even death on a cross, she has been granted the gift of salvation resulting in eternity with Christ and all of those who believe that He is the Son of God and because of this, we know that we will see her again in her glorified body.

In lieu of flowers, an account has been set up at Teachers Credit Union under the name “Joey Douglas Memorial” for donations that will be used for various charitable giving and opportunities dear to Joey's heart.

Published in South Bend Tribune on Aug. 21, 2016

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/southbendtribune/obituary.aspx?n=mary-jodell-douglas-joey&pid=181138796&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.ei0p6FFt.dpuf

Central 1963 Mary Jodell (Dembkiewicz) Douglas

March 14, 1945 - Aug. 15, 2016

MISHAWAKA - Mary Jodell “Joey” Douglas, 71, of Mishawaka, has fought the good fight; she has finished the race and she has kept the faith and in store for her now is the crown of righteousness which her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ presented to her on Monday, August 15th, at 12:52 pm. After battling cancer for the past 15 months, she left the land of the dying to join those in the land of the living. A celebration of her life will be held for family and friends at Kaniewski Funeral Home on Saturday, August 27th, from 12:00-1:00pm. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 11:00-12:00 pm.

Joey spent most of her days caring about others. Those who knew her will remember her warm, comforting smile, compassionate heart and love of laughter. Joey enjoyed many lasting friendships from her days at Holy Cross Grade School, St. Joseph's and South Bend Central that have endured the test of time as well as her friends from L.S. Ayres, Family & Children's Center and most recently Meijer on Grape Rd. This was never more evident than her last days she spent entertaining a constant flow of visitors and well-wishers.

She was preceded in passing by her parents, Stephen and Helen (Magiera) Dembkiewicz/Douglas; her oldest brother, Dean Stephen; younger brother, Steve (Hoppy); brother-in-law, Phil Ferro; and grandson, Anthony Hoff. She is fondly remembered by her family which includes her son, Darin Hoff, 45, daughter-in-law, Beth, and her grandchildren, Hannah and Matthew of Orlando, and a daughter, Heather Hoff, 38, and granddaughters, Taylor Dugan, 20, Haley Zurbuch, 18, of Mishawaka, and Anthony Hoff. Her brothers and sisters include Sandy Ferro (Phil) of Orlando, Cathy Barkman (Joe) of Mishawaka, Marian Hammontree (Dean) of South Bend, Pam Green (Rick) of Granger, Dean Douglas (Barbara) and Mike Douglas (Patti) of Elkhart, and more than 40 nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews who adored her.

While we are sad that we will now know life without her, it is not without hope that we grieve. We have been blessed by the confident assurance that can only be found in the promise of Jesus Christ. Because she confessed with her mouth and believed in her heart that Jesus Christ was Lord and once and for all defeated death, even death on a cross, she has been granted the gift of salvation resulting in eternity with Christ and all of those who believe that He is the Son of God and because of this, we know that we will see her again in her glorified body.

In lieu of flowers, an account has been set up at Teachers Credit Union under the name “Joey Douglas Memorial” for donations that will be used for various charitable giving and opportunities dear to Joey's heart.

Published in South Bend Tribune on Aug. 21, 2016

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/southbendtribune/obituary.aspx?n=mary-jodell-douglas-joey&pid=181138796&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.ei0p6FFt.dpuf