Submitted by: Dan Rich

Angela Gerstbauer Cressy

July 2, 1919 - April 27, 2006

South Bend Tribune 5/1/2006

Angela Gerstbauer Cressy died peacefully at home surrounded by the love and prayers of her devoted family. She was born in Mishawaka, the fourth of nine children, into the loving family of J. Louis and Theckla Schellinger Gerstbauer. Her greatest joy centered around her devotion to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, her husband George and their seven children. From their beginning together, she and George shared a vision of centering their lives around Christ. She was gracious, kind, humble and forever positive. She approached everyone she met with an open heart. Her kitchen table was a hub for countless visitors who found in her a listening heart, wise counsel, and the promise of her prayers. As a daily Mass attendant and longtime member of Sacred Heart Parish, Notre Dame, she leaves a legacy of unshakeable faith, quiet humility and gentle fortitude.

Angela possessed an uncommon blend of talents. She had a beautiful singing voice, a love of playing the piano by ear, a sparkling sense of humor and a beautiful, ever-present smile. Each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren has been kept warm by the lovely hats, scarves and sweaters she crocheted for them. Thanks to her appreciation for nature's beauty, her summer garden was always adorned with colorful flowers. She had an incomparable zest for life and managed to accomplish in one day more than most people can in a week. Besides being the proverbial "woman behind the man," she was a Real Estate broker and a true partner, advisor and confidant to her husband. She had a discerning eye for architecture and design, which proved to be an indispensable asset in their ventures. The development of the Winding Brook Park neighborhood was her favorite endeavor. She named each of the streets and was the inspiration for the annual tradition of the Festival of Lights in Winding Brook, which still brings countless families together during the Christmas season. Together with George, his partners and their families, they made a commitment to pray for past, current and future residents of Winding Brook Park. Angela, a resident of Winding Brook for over 40 years, never forgot this promise. Her prayers were particularly fruitful for her own family as all seven of her children chose to live and raise their children in this special neighborhood.

Preceding her in death were her dearly beloved husband of 55 years, George Cressy, along with her brothers, Fabian, Richard, Joseph and the Reverend James Gerstbauer, and her sister, Regina McManus Resnik. She leaves behind her brother, Albert (June) Gerstbauer, and sisters, Mildred Shamo and Collette Hornung, sister-in-law, Peggy Gerstbauer, and brother-in-law, George Resnik.

Surviving to cherish their beloved mother are Don (Pat) Cressy, Marcia (Mike) Hammes, Ray (Mary Lou) Cressy, Jennifer (Steve) Deane, Maryclare (John) Dunbar, Susan Makielski and George (Katy) Cressy. Also surviving are her 23 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, whom she adored: Kiernan (Bill) William, Bridget and Sydney Anzelc, Kim Cressy, Corey (Becky) and James Cressy, Jenelle (Dan) Julia, Matthew and Nathan Sullivan, Claire (Doug) and Jonathan Brinkley, Michael Hammes, Jim (Erin) Ava and Max Cressy, Anne Cressy, Marie (Karl) Kyriss, Mary Kate Cressy, Angela (Noah) Armstrong, Steven and Kyle Deane, Lauren and John Dunbar, David, Meryl and Joseph Makielski, and George, Maggie, Josie, Sam and Evie Cressy.

The family gratefully wishes to acknowledge the kindness of Dr. Arnold del Pilar, Andrea Kobek, the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care and the wonderful caregivers, friends and relatives who have selflessly given so generously of their time, love and prayers.

Friends and family were invited to share in the celebration of Angela's life on Saturday, April 29th, and are invited today, April 30th, at McGann Hay, Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23, enter on Cherry Road, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day. A Rosary will be said at 5:00 p.m. today in the funeral home. The funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, on Monday, May 1st, at 3:30 p.m. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be sent to The Center for the Homeless, 813 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46601; or to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.