Mary Diane (Zieverink) Hosinski

Mary Diane Hosinski, 78, of South Bend, IN, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family, on February 12, 2025.  Her passing came just ten days before what would have been her 54th wedding anniversary. Mary became seriously ill at the beginning of 2025 and was under hospice care since February.

Born on November 8, 1946, in Waukegan, Illinois, Mary was the first of eleven children born to Edward William Zieverink, Jr., and June (Pope) Zieverink. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Irene Schrauder; and two brothers, Joseph and William Zieverink.

Mary is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 54 years, Mark D. Hosinski of South Bend, IN; her daughter, Catherine A. Hosinski of Chicago, IL; two sons, Donald E. (Daphne) Hosinski of Lexington, KY, and Michael D. (Brenda) Hosinski of South Bend, IN; seven grandchildren, Marielle, Lillian, Mark Edward, and Julia Hosinski, and Alexander, Mackenzie, and Charlotte Hosinski; three sisters, Loretta Zieverink of Columbus, GA, Veronica Houston of Cincinnati, OH, and Jeanne (Dan) Rohrmeier of Cincinnati, OH; four brothers, Edward (Mary Ann) Zieverink of Cincinnati, OH, Frank (Catherine) Zieverink of Redding, PA, James (Dawn) Zieverink of Cincinnati, OH, and Robert (Julie) Zieverink of Cincinnati, OH; her step-mother, Sarah Zieverink; and two beloved pets, Fergson and Stella.

A 1964 graduate of Seton High School (Cincinnati), Mary continued her education at Mount Saint Joseph College before transferring to Xavier University (Cincinnati), and in 1969 she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and was in the university's first graduating class of women.

On the same day she received her degree from Xavier, Mary also joined the Cincinnati Police Department. She made history as the first female officer whose father was also a member of the force. Assigned Badge 706, she began her career in the Juvenile Bureau and by the end of 1969 was working undercover in narcotics investigations.

While at Xavier, she met her future husband, Mark. They married on February 22, 1971, in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Mary continued her academic pursuits at Xavier, earning a Master’s in Corrections in August 1972.

During her eight years with the Cincinnati Police Department, Mary served with distinction, including undercover narcotics work and a transfer to the newly formed Rape Squad within the Homicide Unit. She earned nine commendations, including two from Cincinnati Police Chiefs, before resigning in 1977, to relocate to South Bend, IN.

In South Bend, Mary enjoyed a successful 26-year career as a paralegal and office administrator for a local law firm, which was later acquired by Barnes & Thornburg, LLP.

In her leisure time, Mary pursued a variety of creative interests, including cooking, gardening, sewing, fine arts (painting and pastel chalks), and genealogy.  She dedicated herself to these passions with the same enthusiasm she brought to all aspects of her life

Mary was a member of Corpus Christi Parish in South Bend, IN. There will be a small, private memorial service for the family.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Greater Cincinnati Police Museum at https://police-museum.org/ or by mailing to: 308 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH  45202.

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