Theresa A Kacmar

Theresa Ann Vahary Kacmar nee Kovecsi, age 87 of Crown Point, IN passed away December 30, 2013. Preceded in death by parents Moses and Louise Kovecsi, husbands John Vahary and Paul Kacmar Sr. She is survived by children: William Vahary Bloomington, IL, Paul Kacmar, Jr.(Dawn) Three Oaks, MI, Edward Vahary, Sr. (Maryanne) West Lafayette, IN, Maryanne Kacmar Vahary (Edward) West Lafayette, IN, Antoinette Kristoff(Lee Walker) Valparaiso, IN, John Vahary, Sr. (Patti)Battle Creek, MI, Jerry Vahary, Sr. (Eileen) Naperville, IL, Rosemarie Malczewski (Dr. Marcus) Crown Point IN, Mark Kacmar(Beth Settle) Chesterton IN, Robert Vahary (Deb) Fishers IN, Robin Kacmar Lake of the Four Seasons, IN, Robert Kacmar, Sr. (Olga) Noblesville, IN, Dorothy Keene (Dave Maginot) Merrillville, IN, Marie Dillon (Doug)Indianapolis IN, Daniel Kacmar Crown Point , IN. Also, Theresa was blessed with 32 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. She was a retired employee of First Federal Savings and Loan. Theresa was a former member of Blessed Sacrament Church and currently a member of Our Lady of Consolation, Golden Times and NAMM. Theresa enjoyed dancing, bowling, traveling, bingo, going to the boats, and most importantly, spending time with family and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 10 a.m. DIRECTLY at Our Lady of Consolation, 8303 Taft St., Merrillville, Rev. Peter Muha officiating. Interment in Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville. Friends are invited to meet with Theresa's family on Sunday, January 5, 2014 from 2-8 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home, a prayer service will be held at 3 p.m. www.burnsfuneral.com. Just a few memories of mom. At an early age I remember the grey baby carriage of more than 60 years ago on the long walk to grandmother Vahary's. This would be followed by being pulled in the red wagon long since gone. The homemade doughnuts dusted with powder sugar on a cold winter’s day. And then there was fantastic turkey, ham and sausage with stuffed cabbage and pierogi on the table for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I can still smell the symbols of love. In school, I remember the cereal every morning followed by quiz reviews of my catechism lessons. I remember the laughter when I made flying saucers to scare my siblings and she laughed and remembered. She followed us in sports be it basketball, baseball, bowling, softball, karate, skiing and soccer. She told us that she played soccer in high school and wondered why the pitch was so, so big. She played mid-fielder for the record. Bowling was a love shared with us. She got the "I tried" award given in love. Your children have a ton of 300's to honor you. We followed the Bears, White Sox, Bulls, Notre Dame, the Pumas and Andrean through the good and the bad. When not home I remembered calling her during these games to keep her company as her vision failed. We watched the Bears lose too many times in 2013. We brought the thrill of Andrean winning the 3A football title via a broadcast over the internet. She didn't understand the internet or computers, but that didn't diminish the joy she had in listening. I remember taking her to Ponderosa for dinner followed by watching the "Terminator" at the Crown Point Theater on the square. She went to high school with the owner and was thrilled every time to introduce us. We watched TV shows together especially Monk. I would call and make sure she knew it was on. She liked House, Mentalist and Bones as well. Not to mention the "Golden Girls". She could tell you every episode. Things she wished she had done were few. She did always say she would have loved to try skiing. We would have loved it too. We shared many trip photos to know what skiing was like. Many more things to remember like picnics, her trip to California to visit her sister Isabell, Lake Eliza, dancing with Mr. Pierogi and fishing to mention a few. She really liked dancing and would spent many weekends with her friends doing what she loved. Taking her to church before she got sick, then taking her to church in the hospital. She enjoyed the wheelchair ride as long as we didn't hit anything. She would do anything for us kids. She kept busy with the Kacmar-Vahary family merger. The family picture made many national newspapers. Well 15 kids is a lot. So much so the IRS asked us to visit them. Silly IRS. Have to mention the flight she took with the Los Angeles Lakers on board. She sat next the Shaquille O'Neil. Now that is a comic miss match he won't forget. And most of all I remember her calls singing happy birthday to us. Even the calls at midnight on New Year’s Eve will especially be missed on the day after her passing. So just one last thought about Theresa, she was "always there for us" and we miss her.

Theresa A Kacmar

October 13, 1926 - December 30, 2013