Sara G. Pence

The family of Sara Glyn Pence (Sally) of South Bend is saddened to announce her passing on Friday August 14th at the age of 83. She was born September 8th,1936 to Patrick Joseph and Margaret (Malia) Gaffigan, the fourth of five children. On November 9th, 1957 Sara wed Phillip Pence with whom she had 8 children. 

Sara was first and foremost a dedicated mother. She treasured her children and embraced every moment spent with them. If asked; each of them would swear they were her favorite. Sara had a thirst for knowledge and passed the love of reading, music and learning on to her children. She took college courses at night and volunteered her time as an adult literacy tutor. Sara worked for Service Merchandise for 20 years before retiring. After “retirement” she worked as an Indiana FSSA supervisor and then at Eggleston School. Her career ended at Ave Maria Press on the campus of Notre Dame, the home of her beloved Fighting Irish football team. Sara enjoyed spending time visiting libraries, museums, zoos, going to Lake Michigan to walk on the beach or talking over a cup of coffee and a piece of pie. Many were blessed with her strength, common sense, & grace. 

Sara was preceded in death by her mother, father, sister, Rita Eileen (Joe) Wojtczak of Granger IN, & daughter-in-law Denise (Matt) Pence. Sara’s surviving siblings reside in Indiana; Patricia Ann Boocher of Mishawaka, Mary Baer of Noblesville, & John Gregory Gaffigan (Lori) of Auburn. The children’s father, Phillip (Susan) Pence of Evans GA survives. 

At peace that Sara’s spirit and soul are now held with our Lord in heaven are children; Carol (Jon) Smoker, Elkhart IN, Christopher (Beth) Pence, Augusta GA, Kathie Pence, Edwardsburg MI, Michael (Bernadette) Pence, Bluffton SC, Cynthia (Kenneth) Hopkins, China MI, Patrick (Gabriella) Pence, Kyle TX, Paul (Adrian) Pence, Lakeland FL, & Phillip “Matt” Pence, South Bend IN,  grandchildren; Rachael, David, Jon Gabriel, Nicholas, Phillip, Auston, Steven, Emily, Gavin, Carly, Madison, Ethan, Delaney, Colin, Miranda, Avery, Carlo, Isabella & great-grandchild, Mark Jonathan. She was beloved “Aunt Sal” to many nieces and nephews.   

The family will receive friends on Friday, August 21st from 10:00am-12:00pm at Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend. COVID-19 precautions will be observed. A Catholic funeral service will begin at 12:00 followed by a procession to Highland Cemetery. Donations can be made in Sara’s name to the St. Joseph County Public Library or the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta GA. In lieu of flowers please consider a random act of kindness in Sara’s memory. 

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