PHYLLIS A. KUZNICKI (nee DINSMORE) PORTAGE, IN Phyllis A. (nee Dinsmore) Kuznicki, age 86, of Portage, passed away unexpectedly at home Monday, December 5, 2016. She was born on October 27, 1930, in Gary, IN, to the late Charles and Edythe Dinsmore of Hobart. On June 17, 1950, she married the love of her life, Charles Kuznicki, who preceded her in death earlier this year on March 1, 2016, after 65 years of marriage. Loving soul of her family, she was a model of Christian living: loving unconditionally, encouraging her children to think positively, possessing a deep faith in her Lord, and caring deeply about others. Always a teacher at heart, she loved working with children. She was a passionate Cubs fan who believed "next year" would come, and she witnessed it! To many, she was known as the "cookie lady," decorating and sharing her sugar cookies at all holidays with family and her extended church and hospital family. A founding member of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and its Altar and Rosary Sodality, she was a catechist, Eucharistic Minister, and choir member. Besides her family, she was passionate about her approximately 20 years as a teacher's aide at St. Bridget's School and her more than 30 years as a Pink Lady auxiliary member of the St. Mary Medical Center. She is survived by her six children: Mary Ann (Michael) Livovich, Kathleen (the late Carl) Pullara, Michael (Kathleen) Kuznicki, Susan (Durrell) Wheatley, Elizabeth (Dan) Fleck; and Charles (Stephanie) Kuznicki; 29 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; three brothers, James (Wanda) Dinsmore (Florida), Richard (Doris) Dinsmore (California), and David (Pat) Dinsmore; and two sisters, Judy (the late Dennis) Riley (Colorado), and Linda (the late James) Morgan (Florida). She was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Phyllis Ann Kuznicki; her brother, Donald Dinsmore; and her sister, Patricia Dinsmore. Memorial contributions in Phyllis' name may be made to the St. Mary Medical Center Auxiliary Scholarship Fund. Visitation will be held Friday, December 16, 2016, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart, with a St. Mary Medical Center Auxiliary service at 3:30 p.m. and a rosary service at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place Saturday, December 17, 2016. at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 356 West 700 North, Valparaiso, IN 46385, with visitation there from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Rev. Paul Quanz is officiating. She will be laid to rest at Hobart Cemetery. For more information, please call (219) 942-2109. Online condolences may be shared with the family at: reesfuneralhomes.com