Riley 1940 Audrey Elaine (Knepp) Kucharski

Jan. 27, 1922 - Oct. 8, 2016

SOUTH BEND - Audrey Elaine Knepp Kucharski passed away on Saturday, October 8. Audrey saw much in her long life, and lost much: her husband, Stanley Kucharski; her father, Maynard, mother, Eva (Price) Knepp; siblings, Robert, Raymond, Elton and sister, Ruth Hunt; nephew, Jon Hunt and nieces, Charlotte Hunt, Loretta (Blanton) Hunt and Marlene (Shcolnick) Hunt. Audrey is survived by her nephews, Douglas, Richard, and Dale, all of South Bend.

Audrey was a lifetime resident of South Bend, growing up during the Depression, spending half of her long life on the near southeast side of South Bend. She graduated from Riley High School just prior to the start of World War II. She, with her sister Ruth did wartime work, as did many area women, at Studebaker's. Audrey continued working for almost a quarter of a century at Studebaker's until it closed its South Bend operations in the early sixties. She later worked at Ave Maria Press at Notre Dame, and then at the St. Joseph County Auditor's office. She and her husband Stanley “Pipsy” Kucharski enjoyed celebrating with their friends at the Breezers and traveling with friends, often supporting Notre Dame Football throughout the country, including Hawaii.

In the early seventies Audrey and Stanley moved near St. Anthony's to take care of her mother, Eva and to be closer to her Aunt Ruth, brother, Robert and the family of her sister, Ruth. Over the next 40 plus years Audrey and Stanley came to know many new neighbors, who became their friends. As Audrey suffered the loss of family members and old friends, her new neighbors became her new friends and a large part of her daily life, watching over Audrey as she endured and prevailed over many health problems.

Beyond work, travel, friends and neighbors, the heart of Audrey's life was her love of family. Her love of husband, parents, and siblings outlived their passing. Memories of growing up, celebrating birthdays, holidays, and Sunday dinners filled her with smiles, and sometimes with tears. Without children of their own, Audrey and Stanley showered their care and affection on an expanding family of spouses, nieces, and nephews.

Though like many whose lives stretch toward the century mark, Audrey suffered numerous setbacks; but she will be remembered by friends and family as a person who could still marvel at the birds and other wonders outside her kitchen window, and who could still chuckle at a joke.

Audrey's family thanks the many caregivers who offered her comfort and healing and companionship.

Contributions in Audrey's name may be made to Logan Center of South Bend. There will be a private graveside service; arrangements will be handled by the River Park Palmer's Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

Published in South Bend Tribune on Oct. 11, 2016