Jacqueline Jeanne Eufemi

Jacqueline Jeanne Eufemi July 25, 1929 - Dec. 2, 2014 SOUTH BEND - Jacqueline Jeanne Eufemi, 85, passed away peacefully in the early hours of December 2, 2014, surrounded by her family. She was under the care of Guardian Hospice of Northfield, IL. She was born July 25, 1929, in South Bend, to Virginia (Sinclair) and William Negus. An only child, she later became the adopted daughter of her stepfather, Raymond Kemper of Mishawaka. She spent much of her childhood at Hudson Lake with her maternal grandparents, cultivating a life-long love of the water. She graduated from Mishawaka High School with the class of 1948. Jacqueline married Nicholas Eufemi, and together they raised five children in the South Bend area. Jacki had many interests and was very artistic. She enjoyed sewing and needlepoint and was an accomplished watercolorist. She was a self-taught interior decorator, and worked for over 30 years at Interior's Etc. where she was the head floral designer. Her love of history led to an avid interest in genealogy. She was a member of the Schuyler Colfax chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She loved to travel, especially to historical settings, and her favorite vacations were spent in New England, England, and Italy. She enjoyed cooking and baking, and most family gatherings included her delicious pasta sauce & meatballs, and legendary pies. Most of all, Jacki was a selfless, devoted mother who liked nothing better than spending time with her children and their families. She especially enjoyed the Christmas season with them. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1960. Jacki is survived by her husband, Nick, and their five children: daughters, Cynthia (Richard) Gray of Edwardsburg, MI, Julianne (Frederick) Hollett of Plymouth, IN, Kathleen Townsend of Northfield, IL, and Jennifer Eufemi (Rob Fleischman) of Tucson, AZ; son, Joseph Eufemi of South Bend; grandchildren, Melissa (Todd) Meszaros, Jonathan Gray, Molly Gray, Rachael (Chad) Eyrich, Benjamin (Anna-Emelia) Hollett, Alexandria Hollett, Nicholas (Staci) Eufemi, and Elizabeth (Andrew) Burkavage; and great-grandchildren, Madison, Mic and Macy Meszaros, Celia, Gianna, Oliver and Urban Eyrich. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her son-in-law, John Townsend. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm Saturday, December 6, 2014, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 226 N. Hill Street, South Bend. Graveside services and burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 - 7:00 pm Friday, December 5, 2014, in the Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, where a Rosary will be recited at 4:30 pm. Friends may also visit one-half hour prior to Mass Saturday in the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Joseph Catholic Church or River Bend Cancer Services, 919 E. Jefferson Blvd, Suite 401, South Bend, IN 46617. Online condolences may be left for the Eufemi family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.