Jean Voigts Zucker

Jean Voigts Zucker

May 22, 1923 - Feb. 25, 2016

SOUTH BEND - Jean Voigts Zucker of South Bend died February 25, 2016, at Heritage Point Memory Care Facility attended by her daughter, Robin, and son, Stephen.

Jean was born May 22, 1923, to Albert and Gladys Voigts in Streator, Illinois.

She attended nurses training at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, Illinois, and entered the Army after graduation. She served as a nurse for the U.S. Army in Korea and Japan from 1945 to 1948. After having attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant she received an honorable discharge from the Army Reserve in 1950.

After discharge she moved to Newark, NJ, where she married. She lived in West Orange and South Orange, NJ, for 45 years while working as a school nurse and later for Newark Beth Israel Medical Center where she served in many roles, including head nursing positions in the Emergency Room, Operating Room, and Intensive and Coronary Care units. She retired from her final position as House Supervisor to move from New Jersey to South Bend in 1986. She was known as a woman who could get things done where the slogan in the hospital was “Wait for Zucker ... She will figure it out.” She was a woman born to be a nurse. She loved challenges, the patients, and all of her co-workers.

She was a skilled needle pointer who made several needlepoint rugs and pillows for family and friends. She was an avid reader who loved a good cup of tea. She adored her dog, Boots, and took care of a large number of cats who managed to find the one woman who would feed them, provide shelter and medical care, along with a heated garage, which was another example of her kind and giving heart.

She adored her late sister, JoAnn, and would make frequent trips to Streator, Illinois, for family get togethers and antique shopping for peg lamps and other irresistible treasures. She was known for her apple pies, and together with her sister cooked many holiday meals for family and friends.

Jean was preceded in death by her brothers, Wayne, Ralph and Jack Voigts, and her sister, JoAnn Voigts Harcar.

She is survived by her son, Stephen E. Zucker, M.D. (Barbara), and her daughter, Robin Zucker Good of South Bend, IN.

Jean will be remembered as a capable, compassionate, and accomplished nurse, a kind, generous and gracious lady, and a loving mother. She will be missed by all who knew her.

The family would like to thank Heritage Point Memory Care Facility for taking such good and loving care of our mother and also Donna Andrysiak, who helped care for her while she was still at home.

There will be no services locally. Cremation will be arranged by Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, IN. A celebration of her life will be planned and held at the Voigts family farm in Streator, Illinois, at a later date.

To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.