July
22, 1922 - Dec. 2, 2008SOUTH BEND - Mrs. Mary Helen (Szerencse) Peters, 86, of Southfield Village, passed away in her residence early Tuesday morning. Mary was born here in South Bend to the late Miklos and Anna (Boskey) Szerencse on July 22, 1922. At St. Stephen's Catholic Church on January 22, 1949, she married Stephen C. Peters, who passed away on Feb. 7, 1974. She is survived by her three sons, Thomas M. (Jeannine) Peters of Kalamazoo, MI, Gregory S. Peters of St. Joseph, MI, and Kevin B. (Susan S.) Peters of North Liberty, IN; and four grandchildren, Lisa (Rex) Owen of South Bend, Steven A. Peters of San Diego, CA, Brian K. Peters and Leeann Peters, both of Kalamazoo, MI. Along with her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by her brothers, Eugene, Joe and Steve Szerencse, and her sister, Rose DeGraeve. Mary's family would like to express our sincere thanks to staff at Southfield Village for the dignity and respect they showed our mother through the years, and for all the love, care and help they gave her and their support for us. Mrs. Peters was a member of St. Anthony's Parish where she sang in the Choir, helped with funeral meals, was a Den Mother for Scouting and was a member of the Altar Society. Mary was known worldwide for her famous Cowboy Cookies, they literally made their way around the world. She was Hungarian through and through and baked Kiflis, Kolacz...she made them all. A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 1:30 p.m. in St. Anthony dePadua Catholic Church at Jefferson & Ironwood. Friends may call today from 4-7 p.m. in the McGann Hay, Forest G. Hay Funeral Home, 435 S. Ironwood at Jefferson, where the parish will pray the Holy Rosary at 4 p.m. To send condolences to the family or for directions, log on to www.McGannHay.com. Donations may be made in Mary's memory to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.