Submitted by: Dan Rich
Nov. 26, 1934 - Oct. 23, 2008
South Bend Tribune 10/26/2008
SOUTH BEND - Kathryn Kinnucan Faccenda, 73, died
peacefully in her sleep at home on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008. Kathy
was born on November 26, 1934, in Chicago, the youngest of seven
children of Walter F. and Anne S. Kinnucan. She is
survived by two of her sisters, Sue Norkus of Hilton Head,
SC, and Barbara Bennett of Bridgeton, NJ. Kathy grew up on
Lake Michigan in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood, which was
her first love and about which she spoke often. After graduating
from St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Kathy attended Dumbarton
College in Washington, D.C. She returned to Chicago and worked at
the Tower Counter for the Chicago Tribune, greeting visitors, a
job for which she was perfectly suited. On a blind date arranged
by friends, she met her beloved husband, Philip J. Faccenda, who
survives her. They were married nearly 50 years. In 1967 Phil and
Kathy moved the family to South Bend when Phil became special
assistant to Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., and General
Counsel of the University of Notre Dame. Kathy spent many years
as Phil's right hand at the university. With her outgoing charm
and zest for life, she was a consummate hostess for the
university, which she loved dearly. She was also an active member
of the Women's Advisory Council. During the early years of
co-education, Kathy took a special interest in the first young
women to attend Our Lady's University. She is fondly and
gratefully remembered by many of them for the support she
provided. Above all else, Kathy was a mother. Her six children
meant everything to her. She is survived and will be forever
missed by her children and their spouses, Maribeth (Duane-David)
Hough of Briarcliff Manor, NY, Susan (Thomas) Walsh of Western
Springs, IL, Kathryn (Thomas Lauer) of Chicago, IL, Peggy
(Anthony) Green of Carmel, IN, Philip Jr. (Angela) Faccenda of
South Bend and Michael (Cynthia) Faccenda of Chicago, IL. In
addition, Kathy had 17 loving grandchildren for whom life will
not be the same without her.
Visitation will be from 6:30 to 9:00 PM Monday, Oct. 27, in The Lady Chapel in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame, and one-half hour before services on Tuesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 AM Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame, with Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., and Rev. Ernest Bartell, C.S.C., officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Christ Child Society, 308 South Scott Street, P.O. Box 1286, South Bend, IN 46624. Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, IN, is handling arrangements.