Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rita Agnes Speybroeck

July 3, 1936 - Feb. 4, 2001

South Bend Tribune 2/7/2001

Rita Agnes Speybroeck, 64, of Kessler Place in South Bend, IN, passed away at 6:45 a.m. Monday, February 5, 2001 in Regency Place of South Bend, following an illness. She was born on July 3, 1936, to the late Raymond F. and Gertrude H. (Kerwin) Lyons in DeKalb, IL, and has lived in South Bend since 1961, coming from Chicago, IL. Mrs. Speybroeck retired in 1996, after 16 years of service as a Registered Nurse for Emanuel C. Liss, M.D. Prior to that, she was employed as a Pediatric Nurse at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago, IL, and the former St. Joseph Hospital in South Bend, IN.

On October 10, 1959, as Rita Agnes Lyons, she married Robert C. Speybroeck, M.D., in St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb, IL. He died on June 21, 1975. She is survived by one daughter, Mary Susan Speybroeck of South Bend, IN; two sons, Robert M. (wife Elizabeth) Speybroeck of St. Joseph, MI, John R. (wife Lisa) Speybroeck of South Bend, IN; five grandchildren, Jacob, Joseph, Emily, Elizabeth, and Benjamin Speybroeck, all of South Bend, IN; two step-grandchildren, Michael and Eric Tibone, both of St. Joseph, MI; two sisters, Helen (Julio) Traglia of DeKalb, IL, and Mary Comeford of Fridley, MN; one brother, R. Peter Lyons of DeKalb, IL; one niece and three nephews.

Mrs. Speybroeck was a member of Holy Cross Parish, where she was an active volunteer, Meals on Wheels Volunteer, Chippewa Wednesday Morning Bowling League, Faith Hope Charity Chapel Volunteer, Special Olympics Volunteer, and was very active with Logan Industries Parents Group. She graduated from DeKalb Township High School in 1954 and St. Joseph School of Nursing in Chicago, IL in 1957. Rita also attended DePaul University in Chicago, IL.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, February 8, 2001 in Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN, where a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 9, 2001 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, with Rev. Stephen J. Sedlock, C.S.C. officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Logan, P.O. Box 1049, South Bend, IN46624; St. Joseph County Special Olympics, P.O. Box 643, Mishawaka, IN 46546-0643; or to Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1520 Vassar Avenue, South Bend, IN 46628.