Jeannette N. “Inky” Dzikowski

Jul 14, 1948 - Dec 9, 2021

Heaven has just opened its gates to a courageous and spirited angel who fought to overcome numerous obstacles throughout her life. Jeannette Nina ("Jenny") Dzikowski was born on July 14, 1948 and passed from this earth on December 9th, at home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Casimir and Jeannette Dzikowski, and is survived by two sisters, Judy and Barbara, who cannot even imagine this world without her.

Jenny entered this life two months early, weighing one pound, twelve ounces, the smallest surviving premature infant of that time in the history of Memorial Hospital, and her fight for life received national attention. Nicknamed "Inky" for the length of time she spent in the incubator, she was not expected to survive. But despite blindness in one eye, very limited sight in the other, and additional challenges, Jenny overcame the odds. At the age of fifteen, her retina became detached and she underwent a delicate operation at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston. Again defying the odds, her limited sight was restored, and she received a congratulatory letter from then-President John F. Kennedy, which she treasured. After enduring several more eye surgeries over the years, Jenny eventually lost her battle for sight in 1982. But that didn't stop her from going on to receive degrees from both Ivy Tech and Davenport colleges to become a medical transcriptionist and moving into her own apartment for a time (another one of her dreams) until other health battles intervened.

Throughout it all, Jenny's brave and determined spirit was unstoppable, and her hope for a better tomorrow never wavered. She dreamed about taking a trip to London. She loved history, biographies of inspirational people, music, piano, shopping, Hacienda, and handbags, handbags, handbags.

Private graveside prayers will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jenny's memory may be made to Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545. Online condolences may be left at www.kaniewski.com

"Arise … and come away," sweet Jenny, "for behold, the winter is past." (Song of Solomon, 2:10)

Source: FindAGrave.com

03/27/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/234788962/jeannette_n-dzikowski