Johanna "Jo" M. (Dempsey) Leda-Starczewski

Jo passed away peacefully at 5:34 p.m. Friday, March 5, 2021 at home, surrounded by her family. 

She is preceded in death by her mother, Frances Rose (Brennan) Dempsey, father, John “papa Jack” William Dempsey, sister, Mary Theresa Dempsey, and husband, Robert Martin Leda (married 1957, died 1976).

Jo is survived by her second husband, Lenny Starczewski, her children Mark (Ellen) Leda, Martin (Licia Espinheira) Leda, Mary Jo Parmelee, Michael (Pat) Leda, Maureen (Joe Nguyen) Leda, and step-daughter Amy (Starczewski) Morrison; grandchildren Colin Parmelee, Kyle Parmelee, Heather Leda, Rob Leda, Ashley Brown, Kelly Parmelee, Kelly Parmelee, Robert Leda, Hannah Leda, John Leda, and eight great-grandchildren. 

A native to South Bend, IN, Jo grew up on the north side of Olive Street where she met many of her life-long friends.  During the summers of her youth she would visit family in Connecticut.  In 1951 Jo graduated from St. Joseph Academy, and in 1955 received a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from St. Mary’s College.  In 1954 she met Robert Leda and they were married in 1957.  Robert’s military career took them to Germany and soon after their first child was born.  After the military, Jo and Robert returned to South Bend and settled on Gladstone St., where they were blessed with four more children.  After settling in, they welcomed “Papa Jack” into their home.

Jo and Robert purchased a cottage on Gravel Lake in Michigan where for many years they welcomed family and friends for summers filled with fun and joy.  Sadly in 1976 Robert passed, leaving behind Jo and their five children, all under the age of 18.  Despite the loss of her husband, Jo persevered, continuing to love and care for her family, and creating new memories from trips to Florida, Connecticut, to beautiful summers at the lake.  Jo worked as a social worker, and eventually found her calling in a career as a teacher.  In 1988 she was selected to travel abroad with a group of educators to Japan. 

After a long courtship with Leonard Starczewski, they were married May 5, 1990.  Jo and Lenny enjoyed traveling the world together, from riding camels in Egypt, to an excursion in the outback of Australia, to the ball drop in New York City.  They settled in Fort Myers Beach, FL in 2000, and eventually moving back to South Bend where they loved attending the many events for their grandchildren and families.

Jo enjoyed bridge with her long-time friends, Uno with her grandkids, and Bunco.  She was an avid reader, golfer, pianist, and cellist, and enjoyed knitting.

Despite her many ailments throughout her life, Jo enjoyed life to the fullest, enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jo and Lenny’s love for one another was never hidden from others but was viewed as an example by which many wish to live.  May the peace that passes all understanding remain with Lenny and the family.

She will be sorely missed by her family and the countless lives that she touched.

Visitation will be from 12-1 p.m. Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1050 Wilber Street, South Bend, IN, where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m., with Rev. Jim Fenstermaker, C.S.C. officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Holy Cross School, 920 Wilber Street, South Bend, IN  46628 or to Hospice Foundation, Supporting Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN  46545.

Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, IN is handling arrangements.  To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Johanna "Jo" M. (Dempsey) Leda-Starczewski, please visit our floral store.