Irene J PODLAS

30 MAR 1926 - 13 JAN 2019

• BIRTH: 30 MAR 1926, South Bend, IN
• BURIAL: St Joseph Cemetery, South Bend, Indiana
• DEATH: 13 JAN 2019, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 5 JUN 1948, St Adalbert, South Bend, IN

INDEX

[N1565] Irene J. Szalay
nee Podlas
March 30, 1926 - January 13, 2019
Irene J. Podlas Szalay died on Sunday, January 13, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. Irene was born in South Bend on March 30, 1926, to the late Zygmunt and Helen Podlas. A lifelong resident of South Bend, Irene worked at the family-owned bakeries, the Gold Star Bakery during her teen years and then retired from the Belleville Bake Shop on Western Avenue. Irene was fortunate to have a charming husband, Julius, whom she married on June 5, 1948, at St. Adalbert Church. He preceded her in death, as did her dear sister Harriet M. Kovatch, brother-in-law Anthony C. Kovatch, sister-in-law Martha Podlas, and nephews Zygmunt "Bud" Podlas and Thomas Mauro. She leaves behind her beloved brother Zygmunt Podlas and his family: niece Mary Luther (Steve), their son Bradley; niece Helene Podlas; nephew Joseph Podlas and his son Joseph, all in Florida; her sister's family: nephew Robert Kovatch (Mary), Indianapolis, and their son Michael (Gratia) and daughter Harriet, Ohio; nephew Ronald (Virginia), Arizona, and their children, Sarah (Peter) and children Angus and Anna, California, and David (Claire), London, England. She also leaves niece and godchild Carmella Mauro Lederer (Lewis), Florida, children Kristin and Molly; nephew and godchild John Mauro (Rose), Mishawaka, children Clint, Tony, Joey, and Megan, as well as nephews Julius (Sara), South Bend, children Mari, Heidi, Michael, Susan and Julianne; Joseph (Susan), son James, Florida; and Frank (Linda), Ohio, children Kristie, Erin and Robert; Tom's wife Terri, Michigan, children Anne, John, and Mary. Irene always put herself on the back burner, making certain her family was happy and well-taken care of. She made sure to share with all she could the great sense of pride she had in her family. She will always be remembered for her loving unselfishness, her contagious laughter, and her beautiful smile. She provided a lifetime of love, commitment, and happiness to her family. If you would like to honor Irene, we ask that you make a donation in her name to St. Adalbert Catholic Church, where she was a lifelong Parishioner and a member of the Rosary Society. According to her wishes, she will be cremated at St. Joseph Funeral Home. There will be a family memorial service at a later date. Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net.