Evelyn F CABANA

7 APR 1915 - 26 JUL 2009

• BIRTH: 7 APR 1915, Filmore Road Farm, St. Joseph County, IN
• BURIAL: Highland Cemetery Mausoleum
• DEATH: 26 JUL 2009, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 4 MAY 1946, Holy Cross, St. Joseph County, IN

1.  Christopher L CIESIELSKI
2.  Judith CIESIELSKI

INDEX

[N2099] Evelyn F. Ciesielski
April 7, 1915 - July 26, 2009

SOUTH BEND - Evelyn F. (Cabana) Ciesielski, 94, lifelong area resident, passed away at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday in the Elkhart Rehabilitation Center. She was born on April 7, 1915, at home on the family farm on Filmore Road in St. Joseph County, IN, to Stella (Ogniszak) and Francis Irvin Cabana. Evelyn was raised by her great-aunt, Ada Bowen. On May 4, 1946, at Holy Cross Church in South Bend, Evelyn married Aloysius L. Ciesielski, who died on May 4, 1981, their 35th wedding anniversary. Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Judith M. Hums of Mishawaka, and her son, Christopher L. (Lynn) Carpenter of Mishawaka. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Gabriella K. Carpenter of Mishawaka and Dylan Carpenter-Warner of Rochester, IN. She is also survived by her foster son and godson, F. Kenneth (Diane) Bueche of Mishawaka, and a sister, Virginia Sgrazzutti of Detroit, MI. Evelyn's son-in-law, Paul Hums, predeceased her, at age 47, on February 4, 2008. Friends may call today from 5-8 p.m. in the McGann Hay, Forest G. Hay Chapel, 435 S. Ironwood Drive at Jefferson, and from 10-11 a.m. Thursday in Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 4508 Vistula Road, Mishawaka, followed by the celebration of Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., Rev. Daniel Scheidt, pastor, officiating. Entombment will be in the Highland Cemetery Mausoleum following Mass. The Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 p.m. today in the funeral home. As a young woman, Evelyn had many interests and talents. She was a very talented pianist. She loved school and was a graduate of the former St. Joseph Academy (St. Mary's Academy). She wore her hair long as a girl and young lady. She was able to sit on her long hair. Evelyn was a tiny lady, only 4'10." While she was working toward her pilot's license she would sit on phone books to reach the controls. Evelyn was proud of being a "Rosie the Riveter" to help with the war effort during WWII. She worked on time and motion study at Bendix. After the war she worked at Wyman's and then Robertson's. She was an assistant dress buyer at Robertson's and loved to talk about going to New York to see the latest fashions, especially the newest designs in wedding dresses. After her marriage to Al, Evelyn continued to raise Ken and she took care of Ada for many years until Ada's death in 1962. Evelyn was very involved in her children's lives. She served as a room mother and active PTA member, and she was a Camp Fire leader. For many years she volunteered at Saint Joseph Medical Center as an auxiliary member. Evelyn was a lifelong animal lover and she welcomed many needy animals into her home. She was proud of her heritage. Her ancestors were Pennsylvania Dutch, French-Canadian and Native American. Evelyn was most proud and influenced by her Native America ancestry. She was the great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Chief Pontiac. This famous Ottawa-Chippewa chief's daughter Marie married a French-Canadian fur trader. Members of the family eventually settled in Bertrand, Michigan, along with the other original French-Canadians who settled in that area (some of the original persons who established Notre Dame). The family would like to thank all of her caregivers at the Elkhart Rehabilitation Center where she had resided for almost seven years and also the hospice workers at Care at Home & Hospice Services. Memorial donations may be made in her honor to Pet Refuge, 2300 W. 6th St., Mishawaka, IN 46544; or to Care at Home Hospice Services, 200 High Park Ave., Goshen, IN 46526. To send condolences to the family or for directions, log on to www.McGannHay.com.
Published in South Bend Tribune on 7/29/2009