Irma BERTA

6 MAR 1939 - 23 JAN 2014

• RESIDENCE: 2014, 61557 Leigh Ave, Cassopolis, MI
• RELIGION: St Pius, Granger, IN
  2014
• BIRTH: 6 MAR 1939, Budapest, Hungary
• EMIGRATION: ABT 1957
• BURIAL: St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, IN
• DEATH: 23 JAN 2014, Diamond Lake, Cassopolis, MI

• MARRIAGE: ABT 27 DEC 1958, St Joseph County IN

1.  Thomas KOCSIS
2.  Kathy Irma KOCSIS
3.  Clara KOCSIS

INDEX

[N8621] Irma Kocsis ... nee Berta
Mar. 6, 1939 - Jan. 23, 2014
CASSOPOLIS - Irma Kocsis, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died January 23, 2014 after a long bout with double pneumonia. Best known for her infectious smile, her wit and her acumen for gourmet Hungarian cooking (not to mention her moxie for never mincing words), Irma will be lovingly remembered by those she touched with her extraordinary kindness, warmth, generosity and vibrancy. She spent the last decade of her life on Diamond Lake, in Cassopolis, Michigan, where she found great joy in the birdlife (cardinals were a favorite), and in her lavish assortment of flowerpots -- bursting with geraniums, petunias, snapdragons and impatiens. The flower she treasured most was the wild daisy. It spoke to her carefree, independent spirit. Irma loved to be mesmerized by the frequent sailboat races taking place just outside her kitchen windows. Her sense of adventure would unfold as she watched the beauty, strength and fluidity of Mother Nature's hand guiding the sail. She talked of learning to kayak in the upcoming summer months with her granddaughter, Camille. They would have both been beginners. Irma was an avid follower of world politics, her beloved Fox News piped throughout the home 24/7. A Lifetime movie would never trump the admiration she held for her esteemed idol, Bill O'Reilly. She had the "No Spin Zone" doormats, coffee cups and other sundries to prove it. Her savvy for American politics only grew in her later years. And of course -- she won every argument or political debate she engaged in. Irma leaves behind, her devoted husband of 55 years, Alex. For her, he was the man she could not live with, and most certainly could not live without. She loved him deeply. Together, they traveled the world and experienced a million lifetimes of remarkable memories. Alex would ensure that Irma would want for nothing. The laughs along the way were many, as the two of them often revealed their natural skill for wit, impeccable timing, and the ability to find humor in everything. Irma had passion for fine fashion, often completing her stylish looks with a matching hat and handbag. Her signature scent was Cabochard, which she discovered in Paris many years ago. Irma passed at the golden age of 74. She was born in Budapest, Hungary, but spent much of her life in the South Bend area, arriving in 1957 as a refugee. Her first job was in 1958 as an elevator operator for First Bank & Trust in downtown South Bend. Her favorite floor was "six," pronounced "sex" by Irma. Irma is survived by her loving husband Alex Kocsis of Cassopolis, MI; her children, Clara Layman (husband Tim Layman) of Niles, MI; Kathy Kocsis Teter (husband Matthew Teter) of Elbert, CO; and Thomas Kocsis (wife Judie Feilen-Kocsis) of Buffalo Grove, IL. Irma's grandchildren are Kristopher Kocsis (wife Nicole Kocsis) of South Bend, IN; and Camille Kocsis, of Granger, IN. Her great grandchildren are Audrey and Addison Kocsis, daughters of Kristopher and Nicole. Those who knew and loved Irma, will miss her dearly, but her zest for life will forever live in their hearts. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 29 at 10:30 AM, with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.McGannHay.com.
Published in South Bend Tribune on Jan. 27, 2014