Theresa Marie Lindzy, 91, of Cassopolis, MI and South Bend, IN died Friday at Visiting Nurse Hospice Home in Fort Wayne, IN after suffering a stroke shortly before Christmas Eve. Theresa is survived by her son, Charles Stuart Lindzy, MD, a physician in Fort Wayne, IN, her daughter-in-law, Lisa Lindzy, and granddaughters, Liviana Lindzy (10) and Lochlan Lindzy (9).

Theresa was born in South Bend, IN to Sylvester and Martha (Zmudzinski) Wegenka. She grew up on the west side of South Bend in a Polish neighborhood and spent many happy summer weeks on her aunt’s farm. She attended South Bend Central High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in education in 1953 and master’s degree in education in 1955, both at Indiana University, Bloomington. Theresa taught elementary school in the South Bend School Corporation for 53 years, before retiring in 2006. She taught 2nd- 4th grade at many schools, primarily Lincoln, Hamilton, and Marshall. Theresa was dedicated and worked very hard at her profession. She was beloved by her students, some of which went on to become teachers after her inspiration.

Theresa met Charles J. Lindzy (d. 2003), when buying her first new car (a Bel Air) after college graduation at Gates Chevrolet, where he worked. They were married in 1958 and bought their home on Victoria Street. She became a parishioner at St. Matthew’s Cathedral where she attended mass weekly until her death. She and Charles bought a cottage on Diamond Lake in Michigan on Valentine’s Day 1964. Their son and only child was born in July 1967. Theresa spent many happy summers at her lake house, and celebrated her 91st birthday there this past October with her son and his family.

Theresa had many interests including reading (history, politics, health, biographies), traveling, sewing, and yardwork. She enjoyed spending time with and reading to her granddaughters. Earlier in life, she loved shopping in Chicago at Marshall Field’s department store. She enjoyed spending time with her sister, who lived on the other side of the lake, and her niece. Theresa was fiercely independent, living on her own past her 91st year. She loved doing crossword puzzles and watching her favorite TV show, Murder She Wrote.

Theresa will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and those whose lives she touched during her many years teaching. She will be remembered for her caring ways, her dedication to hard work, and her spirit to never give up. She truly earned her angel wings.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 29, in the Cathedral of St. Matthew, 1701 Miami Street, South Bend, with Rev. Terry Fisher officiating. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday at Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka, where the Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 pm. Visitation is also from 12:30 to 1:00 pm on Saturday at church.

In lieu of flowers, Theresa’s family suggests memorials be given to the Cathedral of St. Matthew (www.stmatthewcathedral.org) or to Visiting Nurse Hospice Home (www.vnfw.org).

An online guest book is available at www.goethalswells.com.

01/24/2023 JFC