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SOUTH BEND, IN – Doris A. Ladyga of South Bend passed away peacefully at 1:40 pm, Tuesday, October 4, 2016 and is now reunited with her loving husband, Delbert "Babe" Ladyga who passed away on January 5, 2000.
Mom was born on September 4, 1930 in South Bend, IN to the late William and Rose (Wagner) Stafford.
Our Mom and Dad met at The Box Rolling Skating Rink in Mishawaka, IN and their love story began. On May 6, 1950 in St. Matthew's Catholic Church in South Bend they were united in marriage and were only months away from celebrating their 50th Anniversary when Dad passed away.
Mom was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Minnie Scanlon, Pansey Oswalt, Zelda "Doll" Vittorie and a baby sister Marjorie Stafford who died during the Great Flu Epidemic in 1918. She was also preceded in death by her brothers William Jr, David Sr, and James Stafford and a special borther-in-law Robert Ladyga, Sr and a son-in-law Kevin Moore.
Survivors include daughter June Moore (Jack Bailey) of South Bend; Son Gary (Corina) Ladyga and their son Chad (Nicole) and great granddaughters Maelyn and Hiltyn Ladyga all of South Bend and daughter Debbie (Don Block) Ladyga-Block of Mishawaka; a brother Robert (Alice) Stafford of Glenville, North Carolina; a special sister-in-law Mardelle Ladyga and many cousins, nephews and nieces.
Mom is missed by her loved ones, family and friends. She leaves a void that can never be filled.
Mom worked many jobs but most notable were her years at Ball Band in the late 50's and 60's. She was involved in one of the first class action sexual discrimination law suits filed in the United States against Ball Band and they won. Mom went to work in the St. Joseph County Clerk's Office in 1975 and retired in 1993 working in the Superior Court Clerk's Office for seventeen years as a deputy clerk and a supervisor. Many young lawyers learned from our Mom the ins and outs of the court house. After retirement she was appointed as a St. Joseph County Superior Court Jury Commissioner.
As we grew up she helped with Cub Scouts, selling candy for Camp Fire Girls and attending many of our sporting events, school choir events and playing "Old Maid" and "Go Fish" with Chad. Mom and Dad were avid Notre Dame Football fans and tailgated out at the stadium for years. Sunday's were spent at our family home swimming, splitting wood, cooking on the outdoor fireplace and always having fun. Mom enjoyed reading, the Hallmark channel, going to movies, her Euchre Club and shopping. She was a great cook!
She and Dad were long time members of Christ the King Catholic Church where she was a Catechism Teacher at Church and was an active member of the Altar Rosary Society for many years. Mom was a 1949 graduate of John Adams High School. Other organizations that Mom was a member of where: St. Joseph County Democratic Women's Club, Mishawaka Democratic Women's Club, Life Time Member of the VFW Post 624 and 360 Ladies Auxiliary, Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary #1878.
Our parents taught us that voting was our fundamental right as well as our duty as good citizens. They taught by example and served as Democratic Party Precinct Committee Officials. Mom worked at the polls in many capacities, Inspector, Judge and Clerk. Mom walked door-to-door, made thousands of phone calls and ran many fund raisers for many candidates. Most notably for their daughter Mishawaka City Clerk Debbie Ladyga-Block.
Her husband, children and grandson were her highest priority and we would not be the people we are today without her love, support and guidance. Mom and June spent much time together shopping and going to appointments. She called Gary her "Paper Boy" and "Mailman", he dutifully fulfilled those roles every day for years and was the reason she was able to stay in her home for as long as she did.
Mom and Dad were members of the Greatest Generation. Mom always knew how to stretch a dollar and when growing up we never wanted for anything, especially love. We know that we are the luckiest kids in the World to have had such an Angel for a Mother.
Visitation will be at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend on Sunday, October 9th from 2:00-6:00 pm where a Parish Rosary will be said at 4:30pm. Visitation will take place again on Monday, October 10 from 9:30-10:30 am at the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 10th at 11:00am at Christ the King Catholic Church, South Bend, Indiana with Father Michael Belinsky officiating. Her final resting place will be alongside her beloved husband, Babe at Chapel Hill Memorial Garden, Osceola, Indiana.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice Foundation, Supporting Center for Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Joseph County, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545-5234.
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1930 - 2016 (86 years)
