Kathleen Kitty Elva PAUWELS

28 JUN 1938 - NOV 2022

• BIRTH: 28 JUN 1938, Mishawaka, St Joseph, IN
• DEATH: NOV 2022, South Bend, St Joseph, IN

INDEX

[N33650] Kathleen (Kitty) Elva Pauwels
June 28, 1938 - Nov 2022

Kathleen (Kitty) Elva Clayton peacefully left us on October 1st at the age of 84. A resident of Marjorie P Lee Retirement Community after moving to Cincinnati in 2017, she was surrounded by family, friends, and the best nursing aides during her last days. Kitty was born in Mishawaka, Indiana on June 28th, 1938, to Raymond and Helen Pauwels. Kitty grew up in her long-time home with her two brothers, Richard & Charles, and sister Jacqueline, near the St. Joseph River. She was an active participant in every outdoors activity, swimming and fishing being her favorites, and loved spending time with family. She graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1957 and soon after married Larry L. Nifong and had four children, Laura (now Brunner), Gregory, Thomas, and Kent. Kitty spent most of her career as a medical transcriptionist at Elkhart General Hospital before retiring at the age of 72 to spend time with her grandchildren.Kitty’s proudest and most enjoyable moments were those spent with her four children, ten grandchildren (Heather, Christian, Haley, Brandon, Judea, Julien, Madeline, A.J., Emil and Marian) and one great-grandchild Penelope. A ruthless card player, Kitty enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends to get a Euchre tournament going and was known to play an intensely competitive game of bridge. Kitty was a voracious reader of fiction, in particular mystery novels, and instilled her love of reading (and Scrabble) in each grandchild. She was an avid fan of her birds, which included most recently a pair of lovebirds. Kitty never lost her adventurous spirit, and was known to kayak, ride a minibike and horseback ride well into her advancing years. She was a lifelong Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan and could often be found sitting outside enjoying the changing season. Kitty is survived by her brother Dick, her children Tom (Aleks), Kent (Michele) and Laura (Paul), all her grandchildren and great grandchild and former husband Larry (Carol). Services will be held at The Armory, 727 S. Eddy St., in South Bend on November 26th at 3:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Marjorie P. Lee Christmas Fund, as the family is incredibly grateful for the personal care she received there. Donations to this Fund go directly to support the front-line workers who provided Kitty, and all the residents of Marjorie P. Lee, with the highest quality of care. Send to MPL Christmas Fund, David Lowry, 3580 Shaw Ave., Apt 308, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208.

Posted online on November 16, 2022