Nancy Jean Sulok

Nancy Jean Sulok died on Friday, March 12, 2021 after a long and fulfilling life. She was born on February 4, 1950, the daughter of Victor and Anita Sulok, and lived her entire life in the South Bend – Mishawaka area. She was educated at Monroe Elementary, Riley High School and Indiana University South Bend, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English in 1973. It was at IUSB where she launched her career in journalism, becoming a charter member of The Preface, the student newspaper. It was also at IUSB where he met her husband, Richard S. Feingold, whom she married on September 24, 1978. They enjoyed a happy life together until he died in October 2015, a few days after celebrating their 37th anniversary. Nancy is survived by two sisters, Mary Anne Morris of Ormond Beach, FL and Anita (Tom) Baranowski of Colorado Springs, CO; two brothers, Fred (Judy) Sulok of South Bend and Victor (Melanie) Sulok of Granger. She was preceded in death by her parents and by a brother, Joe. Other survivors include six nieces and two nephews, along with eight great-nieces and nephews. Also surviving is a son, Michael Gregory of Mishawaka, whom she and Dick gave up for adoption in 1975. Nancy and Mike were reunited in March 2019 after Mike obtained his adoption records from the state.

Nancy became a reporter at the South Bend Tribune in January 1973 while finishing her degree at IUSB. She worked there for almost 36 years, when her job was among 33 eliminated at the end of 2008. At the Tribune, she started as a reporter and later moved up the ranks to become the metro news editor. A change in management at the Tribune resulted in Nancy becoming a popular columnist, which she did for 10 years before returning to reporting. A groundbreaker, she was the first woman to be hired in some of her editorial positions. She was active in the Indiana Associated Press Managing Editors Association, becoming the first woman to serve as the head of that statewide organization. She also had served on the board of the IUSB Alumni Association, including a year as its chairperson. In 2000, she received the Distinguished Alumni Award form IUSB’s Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Nancy later served for 10 years as the advisor for The Preface, returning to her roots to mentor aspiring journalists. Nancy was a long-time member of the South Bend Press Club and served in the past as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. After leaving the Tribune, Nancy began a part-time job as office manager of the South Bend Alumni Association. She was a key figure in organizing the SBAA’s annual golf tournament, scholarship program, Lunch Club and its South Bend Community Hall of Fame Banquet. She retired from the SBAA in August 2018, although she remained active on the Hall of Fame Committee. After leaving the SBAA job, she became a substitute volunteer for Meals on Wheels. She was a long-time season ticket holder and supporter of the Broadway Theatre League.

Nancy and Dick loved to travel, not just around the United States, but also several trips to Europe. They were especially fond of Hawaii, which they visited twice, and Great Britain, which they visited often. Their travels also took them to France, Germany, Austria, and Belgium. She loved to read and solve crossword, jigsaw and other puzzles that kept her mentally challenged. She developed many lifelong relationships with friends dating back to her days at Monroe School and Riley. She helped organize the 50th year reunion for the Riley Class of 1968 in 2018. She also maintained friendships from her days at the Tribune, meeting monthly for lunch with some of them and weekly with another group of them.

Despite all of the pleasures she squeezed from life, Nancy struggled since her teenage years with the effects of lupus, an auto-immune disease. She was never expected to live as long as she did, and indeed survived many brushes with death throughout her life. She persisted partly because she decided at an early age to control her illness and not let her illness control her. She was greatly appreciative of the love and support of her family and friends and asks them not to mourn for her. Her struggles are over.

According to Nancy’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. A memorial visitation ending with words of comfort will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2021 from 1-3:00 PM at Palmer Funeral Homes – Welsheimer North Chapel, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN 46635. Words of comfort will take place promptly at 3:00 PM. Online expressions of sympathy may be left at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. Memorial contributions may be given to the South Bend Alumni Association, 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601

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