Central 1954 Mary Craft (Kuczwara) Nellans

March 27, 1936 - May 11, 2016

SOUTH BEND - “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.”

Revelation 21:4

Mary Craft Nellans passed away Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at the age of 80, in Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family.

Mary was born March 27, 1936, in South Bend, IN, to her parents, Joseph and Helen (Fenton) Kuczwara, who preceded her in death. On November 10, 1956, Mary married Ernest L. Craft in St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, and on June 29, 1985, he preceded her in death.

Mary attended St. Stanislaus Catholic Grade School and South Bend Catholic High School until it closed, then graduated in 1954 from Central High School. She worked at St. Joseph Hospital from 1952-1958 and Robertson's Department Store 1953-1955, retiring from K-Mart West in 1997. After retirement, Mary was employed at Sugar and Spice Candy Store in the South Bend Regional Airport from 1998-1999.

Mary is survived by her loving husband of 16 years, Edward Nellans. They were married at Holy Family Catholic Church in South Bend on August 14, 1999.

Mary is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Susan (Mike) Losievski of Granger; granddaughters, Andrea Losievski (Kelton Koselke) of Mishawaka, and Nikki Losievski of Granger; two sisters, Dorothy Remley and Veronica (Hank) Locsmondy, both of South Bend; two brothers, Jordan Thomas (Kathy Connolly) Kuczwara of Neenah, WI, and Joseph (Linda) Kuczwara of Louisville, KY; two stepdaughters, Tina (Gurmal) Rattan of Venice, FL, and Nancy (Dave) Watkins of Leaf River, IL; ten step-grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren whom she truly enjoyed.

Mary enjoyed her gardens as well as feeding and watching the wildlife in her yard. She belonged to and supported the Maryknoll Missions since 1952. Mary was a member of the Holy Family Altar and Rosary Society where she was a parishioner since 1956. She and her husband Ed were season tickets holders of the Notre Dame Women's Basketball team for 16 years. She fondly remembered the K-Mart bus trips and her K-Mart friends. They were the best. But, her favorite of all treasured memories were her granddaughters.

The family of Mary would like to thank the staff at Memorial Hospital and Kindred Hospital for their loving care and support.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am Monday, May 16, 2016, in Holy Family Catholic Church, with a 1 hour visitation prior to the Mass in the Monsignor Galic Gathering Room in the back of the church. Burial will take place at a later date at St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Muscular Dystrophy Association , 2817 DuPont Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825, in gratitude of all the support they have given to her granddaughter, Nikki. Please make checks payable to MDA.

Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net.

[Postion 1 Keyword: catholic], [Position 1 Keyword: catholic]

Published in South Bend Tribune from May 14 to May 15, 2016

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