Nancy Lee Sweitzer

Our Lord received another angel, Nancy Lee Sweitzer, 90, residing in Granger and formerly of South Bend, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 7, 2021. She was born September 22, 1930 in South Bend to the late Stefan and Harriet (Kashmer) Gradecki and remained a lifelong area resident.

Nancy was a graduate of South Bend John Adams Class of 1948. She studied music at the South Bend Conservatory of Music from the age of 9 to 20. While at Adams, she played the lead in Katinka and portrayed Yum Yum in the St Joseph Linnets production of the Mikado. Nancy was in the glee club and a special singing group at Adams, The Triple Trio. She played Maid Marian in the production of Robin Hood in the Presbyterian Players. Nancy studied opera for one year in Chicago—her voice was a rare coloratura soprano. She sang the Star-Spangled Banner at the Press Club’s Gridiron Show, with then Governor Otis Bowen in attendance. Mrs. Sweitzer sang for weddings of family, friends and strangers for over 30 years in South Bend.

On June 17, 1950, Nancy married James R. Sweitzer in South Bend. Jim retired as captain on the South Bend Police Department after 24 years and preceded her in death on May 21, 2000. She is survived by two daughters, Roberta (Bob) Cunningham of Muncie, IN, and Patti Smith (Jay Longenecker) of Cicero, IN. She has four grandchildren: James R. (Stacey) Cunningham, Manistique, MI; Amanda (Adam) Smith, Muncie, IN; Heather (Tyler) Martin, Covington, IN; and KC (Emily) Smith, Covington IN. She has eleven great-grandchildren: Nora, Clara, Nash, Quinn, Charlie, Sadie, Roady, Cage, Shy, and Townshend. She was preceded in death by her sister, Bernice Klosinski, and her great-grandson, Bowie.

Nancy began her career at Adam’s Engineering as an operator and worked at WSBT in the record library, a job she loved. She was the night housemother at Memorial School of Nursing. Nancy worked for 27 years at Forbes Varner Real Estate and Insurance Company prior to retirement. She was a member of St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church for 70 years, where she and Jim married in the school basement prior to the church being built. Nancy sang in the church choir for 20 years.  She was a member of the Presbyterian Players. Nancy always enjoyed going to plays, musicals and productions with family and friends.

Nancy loved her cats Alex, Chloe and Tucker.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 in St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, 2320 E. Jefferson Blvd, South Bend. Graveside services and burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Friends may visit with the family from 12:00-1:00 PM on Wednesday at the church, where a rosary will be recited at 12:00 PM. Palmer Funeral Home – Hickey Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

Nancy fought a long battle with multiple myeloma with unbelievable strength and courage. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made for Nancy to Ronald McDonald House Charities, Michiana, 610 N Michigan St, Ste 310, South Bend, IN 46601; Heart to Heart Hospice, 620 W Edison, Ste 122, Mishawaka, IN 46545; or Tender Love Care Home Care Specialists, 52303 Emmons Rd, Ste 14, South Bend, IN 46637.  A special thank-you to Hospice and Tender Love Care for caring for our mom.

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

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.