Mary Pongracz

Mary Pongracz (nee Ferencz), 100 of Hammond, IN passed away on Monday, August 13, 2012. She is survived by her sons: Ron (Rita) Pongracz of Calumet City, IL, Vince (Marge) Pongracz of Columbus, IN and Gene Pongres of Des Moines, IA; grandchildren: Greg Pongracz, Diane (Rob) Wisniewski, Brian (Heidi) Pongracz, Tom Pongracz, Denise (Mark) Langhenry, Bill Pongracz, Phil (Tanya) Pongracz, Sarah Pongres and Matt Pongres; 12 great grandchildren; cousin Fr. Matthew Kish; nieces, Mary Tracy, Carol O’Donnell and Judy Larson; nephew, Andrew Pongress; She was preceded in death by her husband in 1995 after 64 years of marriage; sister: Theresa in 2005 and grandson, Michael Pongracz. Mary was a lifelong resident of the Calumet Region, living in East Chicago from her birth in 1912 then moving to Hammond in 1956. She was a member of the Holy Trinity Hungarian Church, was active in the well known Noodle Club of the parish and also the Daughters of Isabella. Mary retired from the Plate Mill of Inland Steel in 1972 after 22 years of service. In her pre-retirement and retirement years, she enjoyed entertaining and cooking for family and a wide circle of friends, especially cooking her favorite traditional Hungarian dishes and making trips to the “boats” to play the slots. A special thank you to her caregivers, Irene and Nancy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 17, 2012 at 10:00 AM at Holy Trinity Hungarian Church, 4759 McCook Ave. East Chicago, IN with visitation from 9:00-10:00 AM at the church on Friday. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Hammond, IN. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Hospice of the Calumet Area in her memory would be appreciated.