Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 1/19/2003

Jacqueline A. Horvath

Jan. 11, 1929 - Jan. 17, 2003

Jackie, 74, married Roland J. Horvath on Sept. 3, 1948. She was mother to Dennis (Brenda), Deborah (Tim Lewis), Lynnette (Brent Hamlett) and Rodney (Michelle); grandmother to Troy (Beth) Horvath, April Horvath, Sean Lewis, Matthew Tudor, Adam Tudor, Alex Horvath and Andrew Horvath; and a great-grandmother to Hannah Horvath, all of whom survive her. She was the daughter of August and Irma (Hesch) Dosmann, who preceded her, as did her sister, Adelaide C. Woodworth, and a niece, Cindy Lou Parks.

Sisters surviving are Gwen Parks of Crystal River, Fla., Barbara Goddard and Yvonne Dosmann of Mishawaka, Ind., Delphine Wirt of Elkhart, Ind., and Jean Bennet of Sisters Bay, Wis.; brothers, surviving are William A. Dosmann of Livonia, Mich., and Thomas R. Dosmann of St. Peters, Mo. Also surviving are 45 nieces and nephews, 79 grandnieces and nephews, and six great-grandnieces and nephews.

On Jan. 17, 2003, in the early morning light, the time of day she loved the most, after a courageous two-year battle with cancer, the angels gently carried her to heaven, and shortly thereafter we knew all was well as the sun burst forth with its brilliant light.

Jackie was a quiet person with many self-accomplishments who could visualize a scene and paint it; her art was varied and exquisite. Her ability to carve large dolls out of willow branches from her own trees was amazing. She was a "doll doctor" who created her own formula to repair those needing it.

She loved the out-of-doors and her yard depicted her skill at landscaping, especially with her flowers. She recognized and loved all plants and trees and she could have been considered a "master gardener" looking at her garden and its produce. One call recall the saying, "one who plants a garden is promised happiness." Her love of nature, birds and animals, all of which she could identify, is demonstrated by the number of bird houses and feeding areas around the year. She also enjoyed music, and it was important that it be part of her daily living, as was her extensive reading.

Most of all, she loved being a "mom." When asked where she worked, or what her profession was, she'd simply reply, "I was fortunate to be a stay-at-home mother." She introduced her children and grandchildren to all the beauty of life and was heard to say, "all children grow with love."

Arrangements have been made by Chapel Hill Funeral Home; however, there will be no visitation. Jackie was a member of Queen of Peace parish in Mishawaka, Ind., where on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m. there will be a memorial Mass celebrated, with the pastor, Rev. Eldon Miller, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Saint Joseph County Hospice House, to the American Cancer Society, or to the Pet Refuge animal shelter.