Carolyn Purman Szabo

Carolyn Szabo

October 21, 1924 – October 27, 2015

SOUTH BEND – Carolyn Purman Szabo, 91, residing in South Bend, IN passed away at 4:50 PM Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka.  Carolyn was born on October 21, 1924 in Detroit, MI to the late Joseph William and Clara Augusta (Bachers) Purman.  On August 16, 1947 she married Alex Louis Szabo, who passed away in 1989.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Thomas Sisk of Mishawaka; son and daughter-in-law, John and Barbara Szabo of Osceola; four grandchildren, Ellen (Michael) Strycker, Benjamin (Margaret) Sisk, Paul Sisk and Christina Sisk; and three great grandchildren, Clara, Lilly and Ivy Strycker.  One brother, Bill Purman, preceded her in death.

Carolyn was a loving mom and enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren at their lake cottage in her younger years, and enjoyed watching them grow up. She previously worked at Goldblatt’s Department Store.  Carolyn was still an active member and longtime President of Mishawaka Woman’s Club; member and recording secretary for the South Bend Ladies of the Elks where she enjoyed selling snacks for Bingo nights. She loved making floral arrangements for both the Woman’s club meetings and many events at the Elk’s club, including large bouquets used to line the runway for the fashion show and for banquets at the Elks. For many years she was an active member of the Mishawaka Round Table. Carolyn loved cooking, sewing, tending her flower gardens, making floral arrangements, canning, playing Bridge and Euchre.  She expanded her cooking skills by taking a class in Chinese cooking.  She loved arranging the flowers for her granddaughter’s wedding.  Carolyn was a champion Bridge player in four clubs at a time and was still playing cards at least three times a week.

Visitation will be held at Palmer Funeral Home-River Park Chapel, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, on Fri. Oct. 30 from 4-8 pm and on Sat. Oct 31 from 10-11 am.  Funeral services will be at 11:00 am and burial will follow at the St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, Ind. Rev. Steve Meck, pastor at Trinity Evangelical Free Church

Contributions in memory of Carolyn may be made to Riley Children’s Foundation, 30 S. Meridian Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46204-3509.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. 

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