- Date Of Birth: December 1, 1927
- Date Of Death: June 4, 2021
- State: Indiana
Theresa Angela Nate (Sieradzki) 93, of South Bend, Indiana passed away at 12:01 a.m., Friday, June 4, 2021 at her home. Theresa was born on December 1, 1927 in South Bend to Frank and Frances (Wieczorek) Sieradzki. Her father immigrated from Poland as a child and her mother was born in South Bend of Polish immigrants. Theresa grew up in South Bend’s Polish neighborhood on South Pulaski Street. Theresa received her Sacraments and was a member of St. Adalbert Catholic Church, where she attended grade school and played on the girls’ basketball team. She received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on December 4, 1927 from the Rev. Fr. Leo Pisula, and the Sacrament of Confirmation on October 2, 1937 from the Most Reverend Bishop James Noll. As a young Catholic, Theresa made the First Friday devotions in which Jesus promised that, “In the excessive mercy of My Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion (and go to Confession) on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their Sacraments. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.” Theresa died at 12:01 a.m. on the First Friday of June, the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, on the traditional Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Theresa attended high school at South Bend Catholic, graduating in the Class of 1945. She studied Polish all 12 years of grade school and high school. As a teenager, Theresa worked in downtown South Bend at the Planter’s Peanut Store, dressed as a peanut handing out samples. After high school, she worked at Ball Band Plant in Mishawaka for a brief time. Then Theresa began working for American News Agency, where she met her future husband, Rocco “Rocky” J. Nate (Nati), on his first day of work after he returned home to South Bend after serving in the United States Army during World War II. On July 17, 1948, Theresa and Rocco were married by the Rev. Fr. T. Depa at St. Adalbert Church. On February 3, 1950, their daughter Angela “Angie” was born. Theresa learned to drive in 1955 while she was staying home raising Angie. Theresa then returned to work in the accounting department at City News Service, Mishawaka News Service, and then at Michiana News Service where she retired in 1997. In 2010, the entire family gathered with Theresa and Rocco at St. Adalbert Church to celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary, and on July 17, 2014, Theresa and Rocco marked 66 wonderful years of marriage together.
Theresa was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother who loved visiting with family, and attending events for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved cooking, canning, gardening, sewing and crocheting, and nobody who visited her home ever left hungry. She enjoyed cooking the Polish food she learned to cook from her mother, but also enjoyed cooking the Italian food she learned to make while living with her mother-in-law, Carmella (Bruczessi) Nati, following her marriage to Rocky. She loved to talk with family and friends, and once she started laughing, nothing could stop her. Theresa was an active member in several card clubs, where she loved playing Canasta, Tripoli and Euchre. She also loved her dogs, who were always by her side. Following her marriage, Theresa became a member of St. Anthony de Padua Parish, and later also attended Corpus Christi Catholic Church. She was a lifelong faithful Catholic devoted to worshipping at Mass every Sunday and Holy Day, and praying the Rosary frequently.
Theresa is survived by her daughter, Angela (John) Derda of South Bend, Indiana; three grandchildren, the Rev. Fr. Christopher J. Derda, Shaun C. (Traci) Derda, and Nicholas J. (Mary) Derda; and five great-grandchildren, Carli Diane, Derek Shaun, Dylan John, John Paul, and Joseph Rocco. Theresa was preceded in death by her husband, Rocco; her parents, Frank and Frances Sieradzki; two brothers, Casimir (Doris) Sieradzki and Stanley; and four sisters, Julia (Sylvester) Herman, Irene (Frank) Neidbala, Harriet (Victor) Kolacz, and Henrietta (Michael) Misevicz.
May Theresa Angela (Sieradzki) Nate receive the rewards of heavenly happiness that the Lord has promised to those who are faithful servants! May she rest in Peace!
