Barbara Szypczak

Barbara Szypczak, a loving wife, mother and grandmother passed away on May 3rd, 2016 at the age of 64. With her strong will, stubborn persistence and her “Never Give Up” attitude she overcame Stage 4 Cancer 30 years ago. As tragic as Cancer can be, it altered her life, yet she didn’t let it define her life. With her strong mind, unyielding will and loving heart, she persisted to live life to its fullest all while bearing the ongoing pain from the battle scars that she endured while fighting cancer. If it wasn’t for her body giving up on her, she would still be with us today. Born on May 19th, 1952 on a small farm in Grabienice, Poland to her late parents Josef and Joanna Sledz. She was one of four children and is survived by her twin brother Zdzislaw (Mariola) Sledz, older brother Ryszard (Mariola) Sledz, and younger sister Zennona (Josef) Lechtanski and her many nieces and nephews in Poland. At the young age of 19, her hard working parents gathered what little they had to send their beloved, brave daughter to America for a chance at a better life. She arrived in Chicago in 1971 with just a couple hundred dollars, knowing just a few select English words. She stayed with her Aunt Marianna and Uncle Wadislaw Szymanski, and it became the beginning of the next chapter of her life. In 1972 she met her husband to be, and love of her life, Henry Szypczak, of whom she spent the next 45 years of her life with building her life story. Moving from Chicago, they started a family in Whiting, IN and then moved to Munster, IN. She became an inspirational and proud mother to her two children, Dr. Jennifer Szypczak who became a foot surgeon in Asheville, NC and Dr. Robert Szypczak, who is an eye doctor in Hilton Head, SC. Her hard work ethic, from working late nights in a restaurant, to cleaning houses, along with her inspirational victory against cancer all helped inspire her kids to become who they are today. She proudly welcomed her son's wife, Dr. Jennifer Switak, and her daughter's husband, Jeff Janus, into her loving family. She knew and cared for many in and around Chicago, including her brother in law Richard (Vern) Szypczak and his son's, her two nephews, Greg and John Szypczak whom she loved. She was known for her exuberant, outgoing, charm, amazing polish cooking, wonderful Christmas cookies whom she liked to share with everyone, and who can forget her friendly, welcoming personality. She loved flowers, her favorite colors were red and pink, and she loved listening to Polish music while she created marvelous dishes in the kitchen. She had a unique accent that when she was excited was often told that she sounded slighted southern. So she fit in well when she moved south to Bluffton, SC in 2015 to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She loved children, and likewise, the children always loved her. Naturally, she was an amazing grandmother to her two grandsons, Zachary Szypczak (5) and Derek Szypczak (3). They came to know her as "Babba" and their faces would light up with joy every time they saw each other. She spent her last year of life being closer to the ones she loved, and closer to the ones that will always love her and never forget her. Between the days of pain, there were plenty of laughs and smiles provided to her by her grandsons, close family and friends. And now, between the tears, are healing, joyful memories that we will gather to share to help us forget these sad, sad days. We find comfort in knowing that now she is in a better place, in the comfort of God's arms. One day, she will be waiting for us in heaven with one of her wonderfully prepared meals, running around, and never sitting down, entertaining us all with her energetic charm and inviting personality. Till then we will miss you Babba. We will always love you. The family will be receiving friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 6, 2016 at Sauls Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton, SC 29910. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 7, 2016 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 333 Fording Island Road, Bluffton, SC 29909.