Doris R. Szymanski

June 28, 1926 - Sept. 28, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Doris R. Szymanski, 84, of South Bend, IN, passed away 10:10 a.m. Tuesday, September 28, 2010, in Memorial Hospital. Doris was born on June 28, 1926, in South Bend, to Ernest and Clara (Murphy) Casper, and had been a lifelong resident. She retired in 1991 from the Memorial School of Nursing, where she had been employed as a House Mother from 1980-1991. She had also been employed with the University of Notre Dame Concessions from 1970-1979. On June 7, 1947, in St. Casimir Church, as Doris Casper, she married Ralph W. Szymanski, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Susan Gilmore of South Bend, IN, and Kathleen (Edward) Golightly of Indianapolis, IN; one son, Douglas (Carole) Szymanski of Carlsbad, CA; four grandchildren, Abby Gilmore, Emily Gilmore, James Golightly and Evan Golightly; one great-grandson, Eric Holt; and by four sisters, Evelyn Greene of Mishawaka, IN, Marilyn (Al) Rossow of South Bend, IN, Norma English of Florida and Connie (David) Rogers of California. Doris was preceded in death by her son, David Szymanski; her parents, Ernest and Clara Casper; and her stepmother, Gladys Kuhn Casper, who raised her after the age of eleven. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 2, 2010, in St. John the Baptist Church. Friends may call from 4 until 8 p.m. Friday in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, where a parish Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. Doris was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Healthwin Specialized Care Facility. To send online condolences, please visit kaniewski.com.