Carmella M. (Adamo) Rutkowske, 63, of South Bend, Indiana passed away at home on Tuesday, August 17, 2021. Carmella was born on December 23, 1957 in South Bend to Anthony J. and Ethel E. (Molnar) Adamo. She married her best friend, Mark A. Rutkowske, on August 27, 1989, in South Bend, who survives.  Carmella is also survived by her sisters, Mary Adamo and Concetta Adamo, South Bend, Anne (Stephen) Koszyk of Niles, Mi. and Janine (Anthony) Below of Indianapolis; her brothers, Anthony P. Adamo, Terrence Adamo and Louis Adamo all of South Bend, and Patrick (Judy) Adamo of Osceola, and numerous nieces and nephews. Carmella was preceded in death by her parents, brother John Adamo; and nephew, Daniel T. Below.

In her youth, she was a member of the We Together Singers where she made many lifelong friends. Carmella loved to read, write scriptures, play guitar and piano and singing around a campfire. She looked for every opportunity to share the love of God and used her talents in ministering to strangers and would stop to pray, share a scripture, give an encouraging word and a hug at every prompting of the Spirit. She had a rare ability to make a connection with almost anyone in a very short amount of time. She loved her doctors and nurses and ministered to many of them as well along her two year journey with cancer.

A Celebration of Life memorial will be held on Sunday, August 22, 2021 with friends and family welcome to come from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the South Bend First Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1936 E. Altgeld St.  Memorial Services will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Church.

Memorial Contributions may be directed to the SON Foundation or the Fairhaven Foundation. Kaniewski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  To send online condolences, please visit kaniewski.com

08/20/2021 JFC