Lucy VanOverwaele

Aug. 13, 1917 - Feb. 24, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Lucy Mattei VanOverwaele, 92, of South Bend, passed away at 5:40 a.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2010, in Hospice House of Elkhart County, after an extended illness. She was born on August 13, 1917 in New York City to Marguarita (Cardone) and Dominick Sorocco, who preceded her in death. She resided in the South Bend area all of her lifetime. On June 24, 1938 as Lucy Sorocco, she married Frank Mattei Sr., who preceded her in death in 1958. Also preceding her in death were three brothers, Michael, Anthony and Joseph Sorocco and a sister, Helen Troutner. Mrs. Mattei VanOverwaele is survived by two sons, Frank (Judy) Mattei of Osceola, IN, and Dominic A. Mattei of Elkhart, IN. Four grandchildren, Deb (Kevin) Kolber, Russ (Tisha) Mattei, Dominic (Lynn) Mattei and Nicole (Mike) Losch. Also, six great-grandchildren, Nick Kolber, Kory Kolber, Ashleigh, Dominic, Dasha and Vincent Mattei. Three sisters, Mary Hojara of South Bend, Angeline Nowaczewski of South Bend and Betty Lou (Al) DeRoo of Granger; and one brother, William A. (Barbara) Sorocco of Mishawaka. A sister-in-law, Dolores Sorocco of Mishawaka and brother-in-law, Harold (Margaret) Troutner of North Liberty. Lucy is also survived by numerous nieces and nephew. Lucy loved cooking for family gatherings and was especially know for her pastas, pizelles, Easter lamb cakes and gnochs (Italian pastries). She crocheted beautiful afghans for her family and friends and loved to work in her yard. One of her highlights of each year was marching in the annual West Side Memorial Day Parade. Most of all, she loved her family and will be dearly missed. Lucy worked at the Studebaker Corp., South Bend Country Club, South Bend Elks Club, Wilt's Grocery Chain, Thrifty Mart, Kroger Grocery and the Canteen Corporation at Bendix Aviation. Mrs. Mattei VanOverwaele was a pioneer member of Holy Family Parish, where she was a member for the past 67 years. Her memberships included Holy Family Catholic Church, Alter & Rosary Society, Auxiliary Member of the VFW Post 9820, Auxiliary Member of the American Legion Post 357, member of the local Meat Cutters Union and Union Local 5. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 22579 Old US #20, Elkhart, IN 46516. Visitation hours will be from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Saturday, February 27 in the HANLEY & SONS "Southwest Chapel" Funeral Home, located at West Ireland Road/Indiana 23, South Bend. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 27 in Holy Family Catholic Church with Msgr. Bernard Galic officiating. Burial to follow at Highland Cemetery, South Bend. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Elkhart Hospice House for their loving care in her final days. The HANLEY & SONS "Southwest Chapel" Funeral Home handled arrangements and services and extend its deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the Mattei family.