Lucille B. Kopczynski

Lucille “Lucy,” Kopczynski (Walkowski), 93, passed away at home, surrounded by her family on March 24, 2021.  Lucy was born in South Bend, on October 23, 1926, to Jennie and Peter Walkowski.  Lucille was the oldest of 7 siblings.  Preceding her in death are sister, Baby Bernice, brother, Ernest Walkowski, brother, James (Ruth) Walkowski, sister, Marcia (Bud) Sink, brother Ralph Walkowski, brother-in-law Joseph Elias, son-in-law Don Huff, son-in-law Mike Flora and grand-daughter-in-law, Jennifer Day. 

Lucille was a member of St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Catholic Church in South Bend all her life, where she attended grade school.  Lucille grew up during the depression, living on the west side of South Bend, and helped her family in any way she knew how, weeding onion patches, working at Uncle Ziggy’s drug store, and Northern Indiana Grocer’s.  Her siblings remember her bringing home the out of date comics for them to read, when she worked at the drug store.  Lucille attended Central High School in South Bend, and was quite the gymnast, preferring the parallel bars.

Lucille loved to party with her friends, attending dances at Indiana Club, Z.B. Falcon’s, Army/Navy, and Wyspa Dzieci Club, where she loved to dance with a variety of young men to her favorite song, Rum and Coca-Cola,

Later in life, three daughters Susan (Don) Huff, Diane (Reggie) Day, and Charlotte (Mike) Flora, whom she loved to the best of her abilities.

Throughout her long life, Lucille was involved in many clubs, and service organizations.  She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, Apostleship of Prayer and Harvest House.  She was president of Harvest House, where she loved to arrange and help organize gatherings of friends.  Lucille was also a long member of Polish Women’s Alliance, Z.B. Falcons and President of the Board at Riverbend Federal Credit Union. 

Lucille continued her life of being a hard worker, working at The Wooden Spoon, the family Business, LuWal Company, and Raco’s, where she was able to not only work as hard as the men as a press operator, but earned their respect.  Lucille retired at the age of 70, from Raco’s in 1992 after working there for 22 years. 

Lucille loved nothing more than to organize a family picnic complete with tissue wrapped BINGO prizes, softball games, card and board games.  Later she loved to play BINGO and save her winning quarters to give to her great-grandchildren.  She also loved many dogs throughout her life, but mostly Mackie, her big mutt, who she pampered with cheeseburger runs, American cheese and bags of carrots.

Lucille was stubborn, and opinionated, but loved nothing more than being with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Lucille is survived by her sister, Betty Lou Elias or Niles, MI, sister-in-law, Joan Kopczysnki of South Bend, IN, three daughters, Sue Huff of Elkhart, IN, Diane (Reggie) Day of Bryn Mawr, PA and Charlotte Flora, of South Bend, IN, with whom she lived her last 16 years. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, Jennifer “Eileen” (John) Hoffmann, of Springfield, PA, Amy M. Huff of Elkhart, IN, Marty (Gilda) Day of Maryland, Ryan Day of Ardmore, PA, Brian (Rose) Huff or Wheatfield, IN, Ralph (Robin) Flora of South Bend, IN, and Elizabeth (Mike) Brueseke, of South Bend, IN.   She is also survived by 11 great grand-children: Dominic, Abby, Maddy, Teagan, Jared, Katie, Oliva, Maggie, Che, Lucy and Zoe. 

A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 28, 2021 in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr. South Bend, Indiana from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm. A Catholic funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, March 29, 2021 in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Sumption Prairie Cemetery.

If you feel you’d like to donate, please donate to Heartland Hospice, 230 W. Catalpa Drive, Mishawaka, IN. 46545, https://www.heartlandhospice.com/SouthBend, as they lovingly took care of Lucille during her last few days with kindness, and compassion.

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