Agnes M. Kirsits

                                                                         Agnes M. Kirsits

                                                      December 7, 1926 – December 8, 2017

Surrounded by her loving family, Agnes M. “Aggie” Kirsits, 91, passed away peacefully on December 8,  after a courageous 3 year battle with cancer.  Agnes was born to the union of Paul and Anna Kurucz, and was a lifelong resident of South Bend.

On May 28, 1949, in Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church, Agnes was united in marriage to the love of her life, Alfred H. Kirsits.  Taken way to soon, he preceded her in death in 1988 after 39 years of marriage.  She was also predeceased by her parents and siblings Julia Horvath, Anna Strantz, Rose Lundquist, Alex Kaman, and Bill Kaman.

Agnes worked at Wilson Brothers, the Notre Dame Bookstore, the Wheel Horse accounting department for 17 years until they closed, and as the receptionist at Healthwin Hospital for 20 years until she was in her late 80’s.  She was a former precinct committeewoman and longtime poll worker, and fiercely believed in the importance of voting and being part of the governmental process.  For this she was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash.  Aggie loved Notre Dame football and basketball, the Chicago White Sox and Bulls, and was a huge IU basketball fan.  Her cooking skills were phenomenal, and her chicken paprikash and Hungarian goulash meals were legendary.  Having a husband that served in World War II and on the fire department, she had a profound respect for Military Service Members and those involved in public safety.  Aggie was known to even buff a fire or two if she heard it on her scanner.

Born prior to the Great Depression, Aggie’s mother died when she was 3 years old, causing her to live with different foster families until an older sibling could legally care for her.  This, along with her being educated in the Catholic school system, which included graduating from the old St. Josephs Girls Academy, allowed her to develop a devotion to the Virgin Mary as “the only Mother she every knew”, and that you couldn’t feel sorry for yourself but that “you had to pull yourself up by your boot straps”.  This life philosophy, with her “tell it like it is attitude”, dosed with compassion for those less fortunate and those having a bit of a rebel in them, endeared her to many.  Beginning in the 1960’s Agnes would quietly put together care packages with food and clothing to anonymously deliver to her children’s classmates that did not have much.  She opened her home to many in need, beginning with a refugee from the Hungarian Civil War in 1957, desperate ND students looking for housing, and several Asian students that were living in deplorable conditions that she was bound to change, even as she was in her 80’s.  Some passed through her life thankful for her kindness, while most became lifelong friends. It was during one of these events that her husband Al remarked “Aggie, if someone comes by and says the Angela Bridge is for sale, please don’t buy it”.  To which she winked at him and replied “I won’t, but I might put a bid on it”.  That in a nutshell explained her quick satirical wit, love of her husband, and compassion for all.

Whether you knew her as Agnes, aunt Agnes, aunt Aggie, grandma Aggie or even “grandma cookie” there was a special bond to all that new her.  While she eschewed awards or recognition for herself, she loved having a good time at any family function or sporting event, even if it meant poking fun at herself.  In the absence of her beloved husband Al, her grandchildren meant the world to her.  She would usually be at every one of their sporting and academic achievement events, even while wheelchair bound.  She would be cheering the loudest, banging her cane and often breaking a rule or two, and beaming with pride when her grandchildren and their teammates would come over to say hello postgame.  A thank you, a joke and some post game advice from grandma meant the most to her.  Agnes was a friend to everyone, especially those that needed one the most. 

Agnes is survived by her daughters Kathy Kirsits and Theresa (Tom) Byszewski, and by her son Al “Buddy” (Mary) Kirsits, all of South Bend, and by 7 grandchildren:  Jon Kirsits (South Bend), Kyle Kirsits (Indianapolis), Hanna Kirsits (West Lafayette), and Thomas Byszewski (Indianapolis), Cadet First Class Paul Byszewski (US Air Force Academy Colorado Springs), John Byszewski (Bloomington, IN.) and Maria Byszewski (South Bend) and a host of nieces and nephews that clearly loved Aunt Aggie. 

Visitation for Agnes will be on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 from 3:00 until 8:00 pm in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr, South Bend, IN. A rosary will be prayed at 3:00 pm in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 10:00 am in Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1050 Wilber St., South Bend, IN. Entombment will follow in Highland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Holy Cross Church, or the charity of your choice, that will help someone less fortunate.

The Kirsits Family would like to publicly thank the incredible Dr. Ellen Szwed, whose wisdom and kindness as a cancer doctor got mom farther through this journey than we ever thought possible, Dr. Justin Scwalbe who treated Agnes like she was his mother, the nurses and staff of the Memorial Hospital 10th floor oncology unit that treated her with dignity and friendship, Marsha and Alisse from Senior Helpers, the paramedics and firefighters of Clay Fire Territory and South Bend Fire that responded to our calls for assistance with the utmost competence and professionalism, and Father Vince Coppola, C.S.C. for his compassion and thoughtfulness in anointing mom with the sacrament of the last rites, which put her at peace with the Lord and herself during her last days. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Online condolences may be left at www.kaniewski.com