Mary Csapo Obituary

Mary Csapo, 96, of St. Joseph, MI, passed away on Thursday – October 31, 2024 at Corewell Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel – 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI.

Mary was born in Sopron, Hungary. She arrived on the shores of America in 1943 with her parents and three brothers during the start of World War II. The family settled in Granger, IN, eventually making it to South Bend where she graduated from Washington Clay High School as Salutatorian in 1947. She was very proud of this achievement, coming here without being able to speak English in grade school.

Mary worked at Ridge Company and then met and married Geza Csapo, a war veteran and Purdue University student, on April 11, 1953. They settled in Kalamazoo, MI and eventually to St. Joseph where her husband worked for Whirlpool until their separation.

Mary raised her three loving children while working two jobs, one at Hilltop Foods as a cashier, then a second part-time job at Robert Hall as a salesclerk.

After retirement , Mary enjoyed reading, crocheting, gardening and taking long walks in the neighborhood where she befriended and was loved by many she considered family.

Mary had a very unique personality. Strong of character, inately loyal and protective of children and family. She had a deeply kind, loving and charitable trait. This transcended life itself to being deeply spiritual, especially with her most beautiful of treasures, her one and only granddaughter Maria.

Mary suffered greatly at the end of her life, but may all who loved her find solace and comfort that she is in God’s loving arms. Rest in peace our beautiful and loving soul.

Mary is survived by her children – Shari Kerlikowske of St. Joseph, Suzanne (George) Souliotis of Wichita Falls, TX and Tibor Csapo of St. Joseph; and one granddaughter – Maria Souliotis. Preceding her in death are her brothers – Louis, Eugene and Steven Nemeth.