Jacqueline M. Klaybor

Jacqueline (Jackie) Marie Klaybor died on October 5, 2025, at the age of 87. She was born on October 18, 1937, in South Bend, Indiana. She is the daughter of John Stanley Klaybor and Evelyn Baker Klaybor. Her mother died from tuberculosis when Jackie was a young child. When her father married Mary Florence Marger in 1950, Mary raised Jackie as her own daughter.

She graduated from Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan, and obtained her master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Her faith was abundant, and her greatest joy was serving the church. She found profound community with her parish, St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church in South Bend, Indiana, where she sang in the choir every week. She also found great fulfillment volunteering at the Northern Indiana Food Bank.

She had countless talents and interests. She was an enthusiastic fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, especially the women’s basketball team. She loved animals, especially her cats Blue Boy, Pearly, and Pretty Girl, her horse Lightning, and her sister’s dog, Duke. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and a top-shelf cocktail. She was a voracious reader—her genre of choice was mysteries. She was an avid golfer, and she especially enjoyed golfing with her cousin, Betty Klaybor. She always looked forward to meeting with her weekly mahjong groups and continued to play until her very last days.

She was a cherished sister, aunt, great aunt, cousin, and friend. She treasured her friendships, and her family is especially grateful for the support from her friends Mary Ann LaPlante and Nadia Wegehoft.

Jackie is survived by her sister, Mary Geraldine (Stephen) Pajakowski, and her brother John Louis Klaybor; nieces and nephews Carol (Jeff) Weber Platz, Gregory John Weber, Adam Leo Pajakowski, Stephanie Jude (Daniel) Mullaney, Thaddeus Jude (Lauren) Pajakowski; and her precious great-nephews and great-niece Carter Jude Pajakowski, Christopher Michael Platz, Nicholas Jeffrey Jude Platz, Noah Jude Pajakowski, and Lucy Jude Mullaney.

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Margaret Ann Weber; her brother-in-law, George F.W. Weber III; her brother, Joseph Francis (Kristie)Klaybor; and her cousins Betty Klaybor, Patrick (“Buddy”) Klaybor, and Stanley (“Jerry”) Klaybor, who were more like siblings to her.

Visitation will be held at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N Bendix Drive, on Sunday, October 12th, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with a rosary at 5:00 PM. A Visitation will also be held on Monday, October 13th, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church (54191 N Ironwood Rd, South Bend, IN 46635).

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church on Monday, October 13th, 2025, at 12:00 PM, with Father Julius Okojie presiding. Memorial contributions may be made to St Therese Little Flower Catholic Church or The Hospice Foundation in Jacqueline’s honor. 

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