Lucille D. (Nowak) Radecki

Lucille D. Radecki, 91, of South Bend, passed away on Sunday October 1, 2017 at the Sanctuary of Holy Cross nursing home. She was born on March 28, 1926, in South Bend, to the late Mike and Carrie (Botka) Nowak. On November 28, 1946, as Lucille Nowak, she married Anthony Radecki, and they shared 65 years together. He preceded her in death on April 18, 2012. The couple owned the former Radecki Grocery at 1819 W. Linden Avenue, South Bend, a westside neighborhood fixture from 1963 to 1984. Lucille’s tireless work ethic and business skills were a major reason the store thrived, even as little neighborhood markets gave way to chain supermarkets.

Lucille was a graduate of St. Stanislaus Grade School and South Bend Catholic High School, class of 1943. She was an excellent student and said she often got roles in plays because she was good at memorizing lines. She was a lifelong member of St. Stanislaus Church, where she was also married, a member of the Polish Women's Alliance, and a Past President of St. Stan's Rosary Society. Over the years she volunteered at the former St. Stanislaus Grade School, Head Start and the VFW Golden Hills Post 8748, where her husband was a past commander.

Lucille was preceded in death by two grandsons, Larry Galloway, Jr. and Joseph Skinner; a sister, Eleanor Graham; two brothers, Stanley and Eugene Nowak; and 16 sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Lucille is survived by her daughters, Margaret (Larry) Galloway of Osceola, IN, Luanne (Michael) Blackburn of Indianapolis, IN and Judy (Scott) Skinner of Heathrow, FL; two sons, Larry Radecki of South Bend and Denis (Suzanne) Radecki of Terre Haute, IN; nine grandchildren, Angela (David) Schwalm and Amanda (Terry) Summers, both of Elkhart, IN, Mary (Zachary) Cole of Lenexa, KS, Joshua (Janiece) Blackburn of Indianapolis, Brandon Galloway of Osceola, Anne (Matthew) Philips of Louisville, KY, John Radecki of Bloomington, IN, Lucy Blackburn of Indianapolis, and Molly Skinner of Heathrow, FL; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Michael (Nancy) Nowak of South Bend; three sisters-in-law, and by many nieces and nephews.

Lucille’s family would like to issue a special invitation to former customers of Radecki Grocery to join them as they celebrate her long life at her memorial services.  Visitation will be from 10 to noon Saturday October 7, 2017 at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend.  Funeral services will follow at noon in the funeral home, with burial to conclude at Highland Cemetery, South Bend. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Cross Missions for Father Richard Potthast, C.S.C. in Uganda East Africa.  To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.