LaSalle 1969 Christine Marie (Szymczak) Banaszak

Jan. 19, 1951 - Nov. 11, 2016

GRANGER - Granger - Christine Marie Banaszak, 65, of Granger, passed away peacefully Friday, November 11, 2016 in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center surrounded by her family following a courageous battle with cancer.

Christine was born January 19, 1951 in South Bend to Eugene and Alice Szymczak. Christine was preceded in death by her father, Eugene Szymczak; and mother and father-in-law, Helen and Vincent Banaszak.

On June 17, 1972 Christine married her loving husband of 44 years Ron Banaszak in Holy Family Catholic Church. He survives along with their precious dog Lucy. Surviving family members include her mother, Alice Szymczak; brother, James (Rose) Szymczak; sisters, Celine (Edward) Mohoney and Colleen (Ebert) Lawrence; sister-in-law, Patricia (Patrick) Kowalski; nieces and nephews, Kim (Robert) Stigler, Erica (Kenneth) Lenhart, Brenton Mohoney, Laura (Michael) Zimmerman, Stephanie (Christopher) Zellers, and Andrew Zack.

Christine graduated from LaSalle High School and continued her education at Indiana University of South Bend where she earned not only her Bachelor's Degree in education, but also her Master's Degree in Educational Administration. Her

35-year educational career began with Ivy Tech Community College, where she was State Teacher of the Year in 1984, then continued with the South Bend Community School Corporation. In 1993, Christine became an Assistant Principal at Penn High School making her the first female high school administrator within the corporation. She went on to become the first female principal at Brandywine High School. Christine was instrumental in developing the Early College program at Riley High School. She retired in 2013. Christine was a member of the St. Joseph County Retired Teachers Association and IU Alumni Association.

Christine's greatest achievements have been in the lives of her family and friends. Her generous heart was felt by all who came into her home. Family was first and foremost in her life, especially her nieces and nephews. Christine enjoyed hosting Sunday dinners and cook-outs in the summer by the pool. She had a wonderful sense of humor and quick wit. She was the life of the party and jokes were always abundant. Christine loved to travel. Some of her favorite trips included, Aruba, Bloomington, IN, South Padre Island, TX, and Holland, MI.

Family and friends are welcome to gather at St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Rd., South Bend, from 3:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday, November 17, 2016 with a Rosary to be prayed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am Friday, November 18, 2016 in St. Pius X Catholic Church in Granger. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church, 52553 Fir Road, Granger, Indiana 46530.

Condolences for the family may be made www.sjfh.net.

Funeral Home

St. Joseph Funeral Home – Mayflower Road

824 SOUTH MAYFLOWER ROAD

South Bend, IN 46619-2232

(574) 288-4685 Funeral Home Details

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Published in South Bend Tribune on Nov. 15, 2016

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