Theresa SIPOTZ

20 JUN 1915 - 14 JUN 2012

• BIRTH: 20 JUN 1915, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 14 JUN 2012, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 3 DEC 1939, St Stevens Hungarian Catholic, South Bend, IN

1.  Dennis BACHALEDA
2.  Patricia BACHALEDA

INDEX

[N4377] Theresa Bachaleda
June 20, 1913 - June 14, 2012
SOUTH BEND - Theresa Bachaleda, 98, just 6 days shy of her 99th birthday, passed away on June 14, 2012, at the Healthwin Specialized Care Facility in South Bend. Theresa was born on June 20, 1913, in South Bend, to Anthony and Mary (Czelely) Sipotz. She married Anthony J. Bachaleda on December 3, 1939, at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in South Bend. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her sisters, Mary Kish, Francis Toth, Elizabeth Farkas and Margaret Buday. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia (Nick) Bilello of St Joseph, MI; her son, Dennis (Renee) Bachaleda of Baton Rouge, LA; six grandchildren, Frankie (Nikki) Bilello of Bend, OR, Michael Bilello of South Bend, Antonio (Patrycja) Bilello of Portland, OR, Antonio Bachaleda of Baton Rouge, LA, Eugenia Bachaleda of NYC, NY, and Stephen Bachaleda of Baton Rouge; as well as 7 great-grandchildren. Theresa's work life started early (age 16) at Wilson Brothers and included Bendix and Notre Dame. Her later life included volunteering at St. Joseph's Hospital, Harvest House, Christ Child Society, Corvilla, and Christ the King Parish. The Sipotz sisters were close and met every Wednesday for 45 years to do crafts, make quilts, afghans, drapes and other handicraft items for family members. As family members, we all treasure the wonderful handmade items that they made. Theresa was a giving and warm individual who welcomed many into her home. She shared meals, baked goods, flowers, vegetables and conversation with many. Her grandchildren enjoyed her games, breaded chicken, cookies, pies, mashed potatoes, rum cake, kieflies, her homemade chocolate candy, and her wonderful Hungarian dishes. Although family was always the center of her life, she enjoyed traveling with Father Putz to Europe, with her husband to Florida, and with Margaret, her sister, to California, Mexico, Canada and Baton Rouge. She also took classes at the Forever Learning Institute, did aerobics and line dancing at the Battell Center, and walked the mall frequently. She enjoyed an active and full life with friends who played "Kings in the Corner" with her every evening. Her last adventure was at Healthwin where, for six and a half years, she enjoyed all the wonderful activities: baking, exercise, performances, bingo, dice, cards and conversation. She enjoyed everyone and they enjoyed her. She was a delight to all who knew her -- a ray of sunshine that will be missed. She leaves behind the residents, family members of residents, staff members, and a special BFF, Nora Gregon. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff, volunteers, residents and families at Healthwin who made her six and a half years so very enjoyable. The visitation will be at the McGann Hay, University Chapel, 2313 E. Edison Road, near Ironwood, today, June 17th, from 4-7 PM, with the Holy Rosary being prayed at 4 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 18th, at 11:00 AM at Christ the King Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Healthwin Specialized Care Facility, Activity Dept., 20531 Darden Road, South Bend, IN 46637; or to Christ the King Catholic Church, 52473 SR 933 North, South Bend, IN 46637. To send condolences, please visit www.McGannHay.com.
Published in South Bend Tribune from June 16 to June 17, 2012