Submitted by: Dan Rich

Margaret Estelle Pekari

Oct. 25, 1919 - Feb. 6, 2004

South Bend Tribune 2/15/2004

Funeral services and visitation for Margaret Estelle (Schwartz) Pekari, 84, of Mishawaka, Ind., were private for the family at the University Area Chapel of McGann Funeral Homes, South Bend, Ind., with the Rev. Sam Oliver officiating.

Born Oct. 25, 1919 in Rankin, Ill., the daughter of George A. and Nelle V. (Elliott) Schwartz, she passed away following an illness Friday, Feb. 6, in Granger, Ind., at the residence of her son.

Mrs. Pekari worked as a supervisor at the former Ball Band Rubber Company. She moved to Arlington Heights, Ill., where she sold advertising for Paddock Publications and later was the owner of The Wooden Spoon at Scottsdale Mall in South Bend.

Margaret blazed through life conquering all that was before her. With her sharp wit, stimulating conversation and adventurous spirit, she was liked and enjoyed by all who met her. Margaret was strong, caring, thoughtful and loved. She's going to be deeply missed by those she left behind.

As Margaret E. Szabo, she married Kurt J. Pekari in 1963 in South Bend. Besides her husband of Arlington Heights, she is survived by her daughter, Suzanne A. Blain of Mishawaka; son, Richard S. Szabo of Granger; grandchildren, Steven R. (Mary) Szabo, Brian L. Blain and Phillip E. Blain, all of South Bend; and her brothers, George E. Schwartz of Hoffman Estates, Robert D. Schwartz and Paul K. Schwartz, both of California, Louis L. Schwartz of Memphis, Tenn., and Richard G. Schwartz of Romulus, Mich.

Donations in her memory may be made to The Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research, 1100 Peninsula Blvd., Hewlett, NY 11557; or to The American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018.

Editor: She originally married Alex R. Szabo on Feb. 25, 1938 in St. Joseph County IN.