Geraldine "Gerri" (Cormeny) Hojnacki peacefully entered eternal life on January 5, 2021. Her spirit is carried on by her two children, Sherri (Tony) Gaugler of Elkhart, IN and Jeffrey (Debra DuRall) Hojnacki of South Bend IN, three grandchildren, Lindsay (Jason) Gour of Granger, IN and Cole (Nicole) Gaugler of South Bend IN, Danl DuRall of Colorado and one great-grandson, Jacob Gour, as well as cherished extended family and friends from every walk of life.

Gerri was born October 24, 1941 in South Bend, IN to Harold "Ted" and Helen Cormeny. She graduated from Washington High School in 1959. As an honor roll student, Gerri was also a valuable contributor in the Drama Club, National Honor Society, Girls State Delegate, Homecoming Queen, Homeroom President and Y-Teens. Her love of learning and concern for others continued with Gerri every step of her life.

Soon after high school, Gerri met the love of her life at a family wedding and on February 11, 1961 she walked down the aisle and in to life forever with David E. Hojnacki. They spent 49 years sharing their lives together and enjoying playing cards with friends, bowling, attending church, antiquing, cooking, fishing, dancing and raising their two children. They built their forever home where they resided for 39 years prior to David's death in 2010 .

For 20 years Gerri spent her time working at Interiors Etc. in Mishawaka, IN and is remembered by many of her ability to warm their hearts as well as their homes through her eye for detail, decorating and design. Gerri was meticulous in both her relationship with those she served and with her goal of bringing heart and home together for all to enjoy. Her own home was always a welcoming space encouraging memories, warmth and delicious food.

Hard work for Gerri was not only dedicated to her passion of interior design but also in her endurance as a two-time cancer survivor and heart transplant recipient.  Even Though Gerri had a "new heart" she had more of a "true heart" that everyone was familiar with. This was evident one winter a year after her transplant, while we were visiting her home, snow was falling so soft and beautiful and it was hard for her to resist, she got up from her warm chair grabbed her winter coat and snow boots walked outside in her jammies and laid down in the snow to make a snow angel.

Gerri will be missed in the spoken names of Mom, Nana, and Ger. Gerri will be missed in advice sought, in phone call hello's and sharing stories. However, to know Gerri is to walk away a little more insightful, a little more cared for and a lot more loved.

What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.

– Helen Keller

A Requiem Mass will be held at Saint Pius X Catholic Church on Tuesday February 2 nd . There will be a visitation beginning at 9:30 AM and a Mass will follow at 10:30 AM.  After Mass,  Interment of Ashes will be held at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park. The family will bury both David & Gerri at this time. Please note, the Funeral Mass will also be live streamed from Saint Pius X Church for those who choose to honor her memory from their home.  The links for the live-stream are: https://stpius.net/ and/or https://www.facebook.com/StPiusGranger

John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me.