Victoria Cielesz Macknick

VICTORIA CIELESZ MACKNICK SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - Victoria Cielesz Macknick, 101 years old and a resident of Southfield Village in South Bend, IN, for the past 5 years, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2010. Her husband of 73 years, Frank J. Macknick, Sr., preceded her in death on March 30, 2005. Victoria and her husband had lived in Sheboygan, WI, for 61 years. Victoria was born on August 20, 1909, in North Chicago, Illinois, to Mary and Andrew Cielesz, who predeceased her, as did her four brothers. She is survived by her sisters, Bernice Belmonte of Waukegan, IL and Annie Kretschmer of Joliet, IL. She is also survived by four children: Frank J. Macknick, Jr., South Bend, IN; Richard (LaVerne) Macknick, Homer Glen, IL; Nanette (Michael) Johnson, Fort Mill, SC (formerly of Floyd); and Charles Reed Macknick, Chiang Mai, Thailand. A daughter, Barbara Macknick, preceded her in death on September 7, 2010. A daughter-in-law, Annette Hemschemeyer Macknick, also preceded her in death. Victoria is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren, who frequently visited her in Sheboygan and after her move to South Bend. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Eva Macknick of Northbrook, IL, and many nieces and nephews. All of us will miss her greatly. Victoria was an award-winning Duplicate Bridge player and an avid gardener, a memorable cook, and an accomplished seamstress. She also knitted and crocheted dozens of blankets and other items for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A funeral mass was held on Wednesday, October 6, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church in South Bend.