Anne SERGIO

24 OCT 1930 - 17 APR 2015

• BIRTH: 24 OCT 1930, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 17 APR 2015, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 1952, St Joseph County, IN

INDEX

[N4965] Anne Kotoske
Oct. 24, 1930 - April 17, 2015
SOUTH BEND - Anne Helen Kotoske departed this life peacefully at home on Friday, with the sun shining and birds chirping. She re-joins her beloved husband, Dr. Don E. Kotoske, who passed in 2012, her parents, Paul and Margaret Sergio, siblings, Tony Sergio, Josie Muhlherr and Joe Sergio, and her beloved grandchild, Dalton Metcalf. Left to cherish her memory are her children, David Kotoske (Becky Lannan), Kathy Brickley (Tom), Dr. Tom Kotoske (Andrea), Karen Seanor (Chris) and Lisa Franzke (Michael Donlan); her beloved grandchildren, (Shawn, Tara, Kristen, TJ, Zachary, Nate and Hunter); her sisters, Mary Muhlherr and Cathy Sergio; sister-in-law, Jeanne Sergio; extended family and friends, and caregivers. Anne started school at St. Joseph Grade School in South Bend, speaking only Italian as her parents were recent immigrants from Plati, Italy. She graduated from Saint Mary's College, thereafter completing a certification as a dietician in Cincinnati. She put her training to good use, maintaining a tradition of providing delicious home-cooked meals every evening, as well as regularly hosting lovely meals, parties and celebratory events for extended family and friends. Anne created such a warm, loving home environment. She always strove to create an atmosphere of beauty and comfort. Her holiday and party decorations, her generous gifts, so lovingly and lavishly wrapped, were always sure to bring a smile. A friend wrote a poem titled Anne's Table, "inspired by her loving service to others, and the great gift experienced by all who sup at her table". One stanza of the poem reads: She offered more than dishes That were served up steaming hot. The love that she gave us Was the food we really sought. Anne met our father, Don, when she was at Saint Mary's and he was at Notre Dame. Shortly thereafter, in November 1953, they were married at Notre Dame, and she devoted her life to him and the family they soon began. She was Don's loyal partner, his best friend, his champion, his sounding board, advisor, and his strength throughout their marriage of 59 years. At age 34 and with five children, they moved to Chicago where Don enrolled at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Away from her family and her support network, Anne learned to drive so that she could take on all the responsibilities of the home and family while he devoted himself to his studies. They returned to South Bend in 1968, where he opened his medical practice. She worked as his front office staff for the first couple of years, before returning to her full-time role as wife and mother. Our mother was a classically beautiful woman. She was graceful and selfless. She epitomized love. She cupped her hands under our souls and supported us in our joys, sorrows, anxieties, losses, victories and defeats. Her love was perpetual. She took us as we were, without exception. We knew that her love was so true we could fall backward into her arms without fear. Her virtues were many: courage, strength, loyalty, generosity, kindness, warmth, hospitality, tenderness, goodness. She spent her lifetime caring for our needs ahead of her own. We will sorely miss her, though knowing how blessed we were to be born of her, and to have had her in our lives for so long. As our Aunt Karen said, "A more loving mother, wife and friend has never walked this earth. She was a model for the rest of us in how to be a loving Christian parent, wife and friend". We wish to thank Chrissy and Coty and the rest of her caregivers for all of their loving care over the last several years, and the Center for Hospice Care of St. Joe County for its gentle guidance, support and assistance over the last week. Rest in peace, Mom A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2015, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Marys, Notre Dame, Indiana. A visitation will take place from 4 until 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, where a Rosary will prayed at 7:00 p.m., followed by a Time of Remembrance. A vistiation will also take place from 12 noon until 1:00 p.m. Wednesday in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto. To send online condolences, please visit kaniewski.com. Published in South Bend Tribune on Apr. 19, 2015