Submitted by: Dan Rich

Anne J. Cira

July 30, 1916 - Feb. 14, 2005

South Bend Tribune 2/17/2005

Anne J. Cira, 88, residing on Eagle Cove Drive, South Bend, passed away at 7:35 p.m. Monday, February 14, 2005, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center where she was admitted on Sunday.

She was born July 30, 1916, in Chicago, IL, as the daughter of Vito and Augustine (Gelardi) DeCola, and had lived in South Bend most of her life, coming from Chicago.

On September 28, 1935, in South Bend, IN, as Anne J. DeCola, she married James J. Cira Sr. Together they enjoyed nearly 58 years of marriage until his passing on March 4, 1993.

She was also preceded in death by a son, William Victor Cira Sr. on April 17, 2003; a sister, Rose Cira; and two brothers, Carl and Jasper DeCola.

Mrs. Cira was a longtime member of St. Matthew Cathedral and the Rosary Society of the church. She was an avid bridge player, and enjoyed playing card games of all kinds with her many friends. She retired as head cashier at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend.

She is survived by her two sons and their wives, James J. and Dolores Cira Jr. of Mishawaka, Thomas D. and Linda Cira Sr. of Bremen; and a daughter-in-law, Judith S. Cira of South Bend. Also surviving are her brother Joseph DeCola of South Bend; and nine grandchildren, Karen (Michael) Simmons of Holland, MI, Christine (Carmen) Fabiilli of Sylvania, OH, Jennifer Cira of LaGrange, IN, William V. (Loraine) Cira Jr. of Parker, CO, Sharon Robbins of Apopka, FL, Becky (Michael) Lund of South Bend, Michelle (Leonard) Paszek of South Bend, Thomas D. (Sarah) Cira Jr. and Nicholas T. Cira, both of Chicago, IL; 18 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 19, in St. Matthew Cathedral. Rev. Michael Heintz, pastor, will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Highland Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend, where a parish Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Additional visitation will also be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Anne Cira may be made to St. Matthew Cathedral, 1701 Miami Street, South Bend, IN 46613.