In Memory
Mary Kay (Salkeld) Freel
March 25, 1928 ~ July 19, 2025
Mary Kay Freel, 97, of South Bend, Indiana, peacefully passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at home, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on March 25, 1928, in South Bend, she was the daughter of Charles and Alice E. (Huggins) Salkeld. On September 3, 1950, she married James W. Freel at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in South Bend. James preceded her in death on April 15, 2007. She was also preceded by her parents; her sister, Janice Infalt, and brother, Clark Salkeld.
Mary Kay is survived by her brother, Dr. Clifford Salk; four children, Jack (Diane) Freel, Deborah (Jay) Landry, Dee Ann (James) Friedman, and Robert (Michelle) Freel; nine grandchildren, Benjamin Friedman and Katie (Patrick) Pawley; Lauren (Andrew) Fiedler, Lesley (Mick) Boser, and Aubrey Freel; Grace and Mary Landry; Naomi and Charlie Freel; as well as three great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Maddox Pawley, and Madeline Wally.
A loving and energetic wife, mother, and grandmother, Mary Kay’s nurturing spirit and strong organizational gifts provided a foundation of love that are cherished by her children and grandchildren. She was deeply committed to her family and found great joy in their time spent together. Mary Kay was an active member of St Augustine Catholic Church, where she volunteered with the church’s soup kitchen and at St. Margaret’s House, serving those in need.
When her family needs grew, Mary Kay returned to the workforce as a bookkeeper at the Northern Indiana State Developmental Center, retiring in 1989 after 15 years of service. She loved caring for her home and gardens; delighted in her morning coffee; was an avid swimmer; reconnected to playing piano; and relished a good Old Fashioned. She delighted in her lunch group and RumiKube friends. Her kindness, generosity, and warmth will be remembered by all who knew her.
A visitation will be held on Friday, July 25, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Palmer Funeral Home – Bubb Chapel, 3910 N. Main Street, Mishawaka. A Celebration of Life in the Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Saturday, July 26, at 12:00 p.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1501 West Washington Street, South Bend, with Msgr. Bill Schooler officiating. There will be no visitation prior to the Mass, but family and friends are invited to gather at the church beginning at 11:45 a.m.
Mary Kay will be laid to rest at a later date at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Augustine Soup Kitchen, St. Margaret’s House, and PBS. Online condolences may be expressed at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
7/22/2025 djb
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