Sylvia Wachowiak Butchko
Aug. 17, 1936 - May. 09, 2021

SOUTH BEND - Sylvia Joan (Wachowiak) Butchko 84, of South Bend, IN passed away peacefully on May 9, 2021 after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma. She was born August 17, 1936 to the late John and Mary Wachowiak (Frydrych) of South Bend, IN. She graduated from Washington High School in 1954. In her early years she worked at Inwoods Department store. She later worked at Liberty Mutual and retired from South Bend Metal Product Co., Inc.

Sylvia is preceded in death by her husband, John (Butch), siblings, Louis Wachowiak, Frank Wachowiak, Blanche Kanczuewski, Lorraine Wachowiak, Anthony Wachowiak, Stanley Wachowiak, Alice Sayer, Harry Wachowiak, Irene Norton, Clara Luczkowski, Alek Wachowiak, Lucille Grzegorek, Floyd Wachowiak, and Joseph Wachowiak. She is survived by her son Keith Butchko and only grandchild, Ryan Butchko, her daughter Denise Butchko, and Lori Butchko (David Klawiter).

In addition to the love she had for her children and grandson there was a special love she held for all her nieces and nephews. While they were all very special to her there are several who were instrumental in her happiness throughout her life, Marion (Mick) Klodzinski (Rose), Brenda Sosnoski (Buzz), Cheryl Peczkowski (Keith), Charlotte Luczkowski, Connie McQueen, Barbara McCurdy, Kenneth Grzegorek (Debbie), Freddie Wachowiak (deceased), Debbie Wachowiak, and Penny Coleman.

Sylvia was raised in North Liberty, IN on a farm that she loved dearly. In her teens she moved to South Bend, IN where she resided her remaining life. She lived a life filled with creativity and lots of social interaction. When her children were young she led Girl Scout troop 1055 through her church affiliation (St. Adalbert's) and was a member of the Sewing Guild, and the Polonaise Group. She never missed an opportunity to take a field trip to any music or garden or artsy venue when she had a chance and loved to attend Notre Dame women's basketball games. She always had a special place in her heart for all her children's friends, as she enjoyed getting to know them.

Family and her Polish heritage were very important to her. She helped coordinate family reunions and birthday parties, complete with custom designed cakes that she baked and decorated. She had a way of making every holiday special through traditional meals, handmade outfits for her girls, wonderful Easter baskets, handmade Halloween costumes that always won a prize, and Christmas that was always filled with lots of tradition. Sylvia loved doing crafts. She had an eye for detail that made all her crafting very special. She loved cake decorating, doing tri-chem projects, ceramics, sewing, scrapbooking, and making cards.

Her children hope that with her passing, she can finally be free from the pain and restrictions that limited her last years and that the creativity she so generously shared can continue to be passed along and shared in spirit forever.

Visitation for Sylvia will be held Friday, May 14, 2021, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Hwy, Osceola, IN 46561. All are invited to attend a memorial service that will take place immediately after visitation and individuals will be able to share memories if they would like.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: The Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Pl., Mishawaka, IN 46545 (https://foundationforhospice.org/donate/)

Riverbend Cancer Services, 3516 East Jefferson Boulevard, South Bend, IN 46615 (https://www.riverbendcancerservices.org/), or Forever Learning Institute (My Polonaise) (https://foreverlearninginstitute.org/supporting-forever-learning)
 

05/13/2021 JFC