Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT – Jun 27, 2006

OBITUARY

Rita J. Stankiewicz

Oct. 17, 1927 - June 24, 2006

Rita J. Stankiewicz, 78, of South Bend, Indiana, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, June 24, 2006.

Rita was born on October 17, 1927, in South Bend, to the late Clem and Mary Pajakowski, and was a lifelong area resident. On February 19, 1955, in South Bend, as Rita J. Pajakowski, she married Roman Stankiewicz, who survives. Along with her husband of 51 years, she is survived by her daughter, Marie (William) Dukes of Spring Lake, Michigan; her two sons, Tom (Penny) Stankiewicz of South Bend and John (Brenda) Stankiewicz of Mishawaka, Indiana; six grandchildren, Justin, Terry, Trevin, Madeline, William and Rebekah; and by two great-grandchildren, Tyler and Bailey.

She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Robert and Donald Pajakowski.

Mrs. Stankiewicz was the previous co-owner, along with her husband, of Clay Service Center for 28 years. She was a parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church. Rita enjoyed cooking, reading, gardening and going to the spa. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was compassionate towards people, and had a gift of giving and serving others.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 PM today, June 27, 2006, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, where a parish Rosary will be held at 6 PM. Funeral services for Rita will follow at 6:30 PM in the Kaniewski Funeral Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Williams Syndrome Association, P.O. Box 297, Clawson, MI 48017-0297.

To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.kaniewski.com.