Mary Ann (Kertesz) Kertesz - Wardzinski

Mary Ann Kertesz- Wardzinski, formerly Mary Ann Dockter, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away on February 15, 2023 at the age of 79.

She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Gerald Wardzinski, daughter Marguerite Dockter-Burford (JP) of South Bend, IN., daughter Monique Degnan (Philip) of Chatham NJ., step-daughter, Melissa Frangoulis (Alex) of Daytona Beach FL., step-son, Geoff Wardzinski (Rhea Vaflor) of Washington DC., brother, Paul Kertes of Fairview Park OH., brother, Alan Kertes of Whidbey Island, WA., sister, Joan Kertesz of Anacortes, WA., 9 Grandchildren, Paul Burford (Marguerite), Mary Caroline Degnan (Monique), Anastasia Frangoulis (Melissa), John Burford (Marguerite), Genevive Frangoulis (Melissa), Kathleen Degnan (Monique), Jacob Burford (Marguerite), John Degnan (Monique), and Sloane Wardzinski (Geoff). Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents Alvin and Mary Kertes, her brother John Kertes, along with her first husband, John Dockter,

Mary Ann was born in Medford Oregon on April 16, 1943, to the late Alvin and Mary (Hanlon) Kertes and grew up on the west coast. She graduated from Seattle University with a BS in mathematics in 1964 and kicked off her career at Boeing.

In 1965 she married John Dockter and they started a family and welcomed two daughters. She and her family moved over the years to Colorado, Indiana, and Virginia. In Indiana she earned a second degree in Computer Science from IUSB. After settling in Virginia, she looked to her career again and was hired on the spot at a jobs fair for her computer coding expertise. At Unisys, she enjoyed debugging and testing navy missile launch software, among other things. She also lived in Holland and traveled Europe while working on a communications network for NATO.

Following the death of her husband in 1990, she went to nursing school at Norfolk State, then she continued to fill her time working and volunteering. Her service work included service trips to the gulf to help rebuild after Katrina.

Mary Ann married Gerry Wardzinski in 2000. They lived in Virginia and eventually moved to Indiana to be closer to her family. While in South Bend, she rekindled old friendships and loved being with her grandsons every day.

Mary Ann had a dynamic energy about her. She was all in on any project she touched and was a powerhouse through to the finish. Her generosity of spirit was always present. Complimenting friends and strangers alike was her way of spreading joy. She would lend a hand or hankie to anyone in need.

Funeral Services for Mary Ann will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church, 54191 N Ironwood Rd, South Bend, IN 46635. There will be a Visitation Friday, February 17, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Palmer Funeral Home – Welsheimer North Chapel 17033 Cleveland Rd. South Bend, IN 46635.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Mary Ann’s memory to Lewy Body Dementia 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Liburn GA 30047.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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