Dorothy Ann Chmilewski

Dorothy Ann Chmilewski passed away on the evening of September 23, 2025 while listening to the Chicago Cubs play at Healthwin Nursing Facility in South Bend, IN.

Dorothy was born on July 25, 1933 in South Bend, IN to the late Stanley and Jane Krusinski. She spent a majority of her adult life working in the book keeping departments at General Liquors and Hull Lift Truck, where she worked until she retired. She was also a parishioner of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir.

She married Robert “Bob” F Chmilewski on March 18,1978. Bob never called Dorothy by her first name; he always affectionately called her “Babe” and they enjoyed nearly 29 beautiful years together, filled with love, laughs, and travels, until his passing in 2007.

Dorothy is survived by her son Mark (Eileen) Kochmar and daughter Michele (Joseph) Papandria. Also survived by grandchildren Nicholas (Jessica) Papandria, Mark (Angee Richards) Kochmar, and Kayleigh (Nicholas Carr) Kochmar, great-grandchildren Vivian and Henry Papandria, Maddy and Sloane Kochmar, Hunter and Seamus (Alicia) Lowe, and great-great grandchildren, Nora, Tanner, and Oaklynn Lowe. She is also survived by her former daughter in law, Cheryl (James) Wroblewski, and many cousins, friends, and extended family members.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert, and daughter in law Laurie Kochmar.

Dorothy was a lover of all things sports! You could always find her at the Notre Dame Girls Basketball games, as a long time season ticket holder, or watching anything Notre Dame, Chicago Cubs, and WNBA games on TV. She was happiest in her kitchen, cooking and baking delicious meals and treats for her family and friends. She was always involved in her Riley High School Lunch Bunch and South Bend High Schools all class reunions. Connecting with old friends and classmates always brought her so much joy! She was the keeper of her family’s traditions, endless love, and delicious recipes. She will be forever missed by her loved ones, but her love and sassy spirit will live on in all that knew her!  She is now happily reunited with her beloved, Bob, dancing a Polka through the pearly gates of Heaven!

Dorothy’s family would like to thank Healthwin Nursing Facility and Heart to Heart Hospice for their amazing care and support during her journey with them.

Visitation for Dorothy will be 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Monday, September 29, 2025 in St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Rd., South Bend.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 pm in Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2822 Corpus Christi Dr., South Bend. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Heart to Heart Hospice, Ronald McDonald House Charities, or the St. Joseph County Humane Society.

Online condolences can be made at sjfh.net.

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