Submitted by: Nadine A. Hardin

Name:  Nagy, Irene P.

Names in Obituary:  Komendich, Nagy, Posa, Varga, Topolski

South Bend Tribune, Obituaries; September 5, 1999.

Irene P. Nagy (April 25, 1915 - Sept. 1, 1999)

Irene Nagy, 84, formerly of Prairie Avenue, passed away at 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 1, in St. Joseph Care Center West.

Irene was born on April 25, 1915, in Bocsar Banat, Hungary, to Victoria (Ekmesz) and Janos Posa, both of whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded by a sister, Rose Varga; and by a brother, John Posa. On Oct. 24,1936, in South Bend, Ind., as Irene Posa, she married Steve Nagy. He died on March 25, 1980.

  She is survived by a sister, Mirjana Komendich of Las Vegas, Nev.; a niece, Juliana Topolski of Santa Barbara, Calif.; and by a nephew, Michael Komendich of California. She also will be missed by her good friend, Frank J. Farkas, Sr., who visited her at the nursing home every day and managed her affairs.

Irene and her late husband owned and operated Steve & Irene's Tavern on Indiana Avenue for many years. Irene was a volunteer for many years at the Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center, answering the phone in the intensive care waiting room. She comforted many families even though she was handicapped. She was a double amputee who worked four days a week paying her own transportation to and from the hospital.

  Irene crocheted many, many afghans and donated them to the Sisters of the Holy Cross who sold them, with the proceeds being given to the poor. She was nominated in1997 as volunteer worker of the year at a reception in Union Station. Irene's motto was, ''If I can make one family smile while working at the hospital, I'm happy too.''

Mrs. Nagy was a member of Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church, the St. Ann Society of the church, Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center Ladies Auxiliary, and Calvert Rod & Gun Club Ladies Auxiliary.

   A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday in the Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. on Monday in the Zahoran Funeral Home, 1826 S. Kemble Ave., where a rosary will be recited at 3 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Arthritis Foundation.