Zora J. Cabanaw

Zora Jane Cabanaw, age 90, of Mishawaka, passed away on December 4, 2024. She was born on September 27, 1934, in South Bend, Indiana, to Clarence Blatz and Josephine (Reichanadter) Mead, both of whom preceded her in death. On June 26, 1964, Zora married William Cabanaw, who passed away on October 21, 1974.

Surviving are her daughters, Gail (Thomas) Rees and Pamm (Doug) West, both of Mishawaka and Meg (Lee) Johnson of Granger. Surviving as well are her grandchildren Lindsie (Elliot Stoetzel) Rees, Jeff Rees, Aleshia (Blake) Bent and Brittany (Zach Wray) Deitrich, along with her great grandchildren Elleigh, Ryleigh, Audrey, Zach, Bryson, Natalee and Raiden. Zora is also survived by her sister Margaret Singleton of Mishawaka. She was preceded in death by her siblings Robert Blatz, Dick Blatz, and Pat Wertenberger and her grandson, Joshua Cabanaw. 

Visitation will be held from 4-6pm on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Cruz Family Funeral Home in Osceola, with funeral services to follow at 6pm. Zora will be laid to rest in Olive Cemetery East at 11am on Friday, December 20, 2024. 

Zora had a long career, working for 30 years as a laundry supervisor at St. Joseph Hospital. In addition, she enjoyed working part-time as a bartender at the American Legion Post 161, where she was also an active auxiliary member. Zora was known for her friendly, outgoing nature and her ability to make everyone feel welcome. She always put the needs of her family first, and her kind heart was evident in everything she did.

Zora had many hobbies that brought her joy. She loved playing BINGO and visiting the local casinos. She also loved taking trips to Las Vegas to try her luck. In her free time, she enjoyed drawing, doing word search puzzles, and reading magazines. Zora also had a creative side and enjoyed crocheting and making custom jewelry for her friends and family. She was a fan of old movies and could often be found treasure hunting at garage sales, always on the lookout for the perfect find.

A truly independent woman, Zora’s willingness to help others was apparent during her time at Wellbrooke, where she made new residents feel at home by helping them, sharing meals, and introducing them to others. She also cherished spending time with her grandkids, and her love for them was immeasurable.

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