Mary T. Ekovich

Mary T. Ekovich, 96, of Michigan City passed away peacefully on December 6, 2017. Mary was born Maria Theresa Giusti in Bessemer, Michigan on February 12, 1921 to Italian immigrants Frank and Pierina (Cardani) Giusti.  The family moved to Chicago, IL where Mary graduated from Little Flower High School, soon met her future husband and waited for him to return from WWII.  On April 27, 1946 she married Thomas E. Gavin and he preceded her in death on February 19, 1951.  Her parents, Frank and Pierina bought an apple orchard and vineyard in La Porte and Mary and her daughters moved to Indiana with them in 1953.  Mary worked in cost accounting at Allis-Chalmers in La Porte from 1953-1960.   On November 12, 1960 she married Frank M. Ekovich at St. Joseph Church in La Porte.  Moving to Frank’s farm in Michigan City, Mary soon learned about life on the farm—gardening and canning and freezing all that produce; chickens, cows, pigs; sewing and crocheting afghans for grandchildren and great-grandchildren and cooking wonderful meals every day.  The kitchen was truly the heart of her home and many lively conversations happened there.  There was always room at the table for one more—one of many treasured memories she passed on for her family to continue.   Frank preceded her in death on June 24, 2003.  Mary was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Antoinette Giusti, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Catherine and John Malavasic, and her brother-in-law Joseph Ekovich.  Survivors include daughter Carroll (Larry) Hopp of Noblesville, IN; daughter Kathie (Steven) Bugg of Newburgh, IN; daughter Frances (Daniel) Bechinski of La Porte, and son Anton (Elizabeth Rassel) of La Porte; grandchildren Matthew (Courtney) Hopp of Indianapolis; Brian (Alix) of Scottsdale, AZ; Jeremy (Stacie) Crama of Martinsville, IN; Karen (Chris) Duffy of Baton Rouge, LA; Christine (Tim) Craigin of Valparaiso; and Frank and Lin Ryker Ekovich of La Porte; great-grandchildren Colin and Gavin Hopp; Aidan, Ella, Owen and Ian Hopp; Carolyn and Katherine Duffy; and Marshall and Wyatt Craigin.  Also surviving is her brother Steven (Marilyn) Giusti of Elmhurst, IL, her sister-in-law Phyllis Ekovich of Rolling Prairie and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 1-6 p.m. Sunday, December 10, 2017, at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana, where a parish rosary will be recited at 6 p.m.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11a.m. Monday, December 11, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in La Porte.  Family and friends may gather at 10 a.m. Monday in the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 109 C. Street, La Porte, Indiana 46350. 

Please share prayers, condolences, and memories with the family at Essling Funeral Home.com.

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