Catherine E. "Kay" Crowner

Catherine E. “Kay” Crowner, 90, of South Bend, IN passed away at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at her daughter Mary's residence in South Bend. She was born on July 14, 1924 in Mount Clemens, MI to the late Stephen A. and Lillian M. (Gerloch) Lee. On June 23, 1951 at Saint Peter Catholic Church in Mt. Clemens, MI, she married the late John Jay Crowner, whom passed away in 2013.

She is survived by her seven children, Jane (Dan) Trytko of Mt. Morris, MI, Greg (Kit) Crowner of St. Petersburg, FL, Bryan (Angie) Crowner of South Bend, IN, Mary Crowner of South Bend, IN, Mike Crowner Niles, MI, Nancy (Scott) Helms of South Bend, IN and Barb (Dan) Plummer of Mishawaka, IN; fifteen grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; one brother, Stephen T. Lee of South Bend, IN.

Catherine and her husband John were founding members of St. Jude Catholic Church in South Bend, IN, where she was also a member of the Rosary Sodality, and helped clean the church on a regular basis for many years. She and her husband were volunteers for Meals on Wheels for over thirty years, retiring in 2003.

Catherine was a devoted “hands on” housewife and loving mother to her seven children. She owned her own tool box, and wasn't intimidated by many things that needed repairing around the house. She also loved playing bridge and sports with friends, and during her later years was able to rekindle her love for tennis and golf, which resulted in a collection of trophies. She was an avid Notre Dame fan, and during football season, the family always knew where to find her and John on a Saturday afternoon to enjoy the game. Sunday family brunch during the winter months, and outdoor family cookouts during the summer months were weekly events.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at Saint Jude Catholic Church, 19704 Johnson Road, South Bend, IN. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the services at church.  Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel is handling the arrangements.  The family would like to thank the Center for Hospice and The Milton Adult Day Services in South Bend for their wonderful, caring support. 

Contributions in memory of Catherine E. Crowner may be offered to the Hospice Foundation, Supporting Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

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