Lena G. Zielinski

Lena G. Zielinski passed away peacefully February 27, 2021 at age 95 in her Rochester, N.Y. home with her loving family caring for her.  She was born on August 28, 1925 in Dauphin, PA.  She was the youngest of 9 children.

She was predeceased by her parents Antonio & Angelina Corrie; her husband of 52 years, Edward M Zielinski; her brothers, Joseph, Quentin, Louie, Isaac, Mark, Mike, Frankie & sister, Mary Mc Knight.  She was also predeceased by her son Elwood and granddaughter Rehan Hall.

She is survived by five children Edward (Ollie), Eric (Danielle), Earl (Ginger), Eliot (Michelle), and Elaine (Forrest) Hall; her grandchildren Eileen, Joey, Elicia, Jonathan, Eliot, Elise, Tyler, Ethan and Erin.  She also had 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Shortly after her birth they moved to Defiance, PA. She lived in Defiance where her father and many of her brothers were coal miners. She attended school here and graduated from Broad Top Township High School in 1943. School was her passion and she was an excellent student.  She was a Baton Majorette in the school band. She was very athletic and played basketball in High school. She continued playing basketball with her children & grandchildren well into her seventies. One of her loving granddaughters said “Grandma, when we get together again in paradise, we will play basketball again. No doubt, you will make us look pathetic as you beat us as usual.”

Following graduation, she moved to Middletown, PA. where she worked in the accounting department of the Army Depot. She met her husband Sgt. Edward M. Zielinski at the depot where she worked. They were married September 5, 1945 in Middletown, PA.

They were optimistic planners and had a dream to start a family business with the savings from Lena and Ed’s GI loan and funds. At a friend’s recommendation, they chose Rochester, NY to begin their business, E-Z Excavating Co. Inc. Through hard work, over the years, their business grew and expanded into many businesses. Even to this day one of the businesses exists, E-Z Mini Storage, which is still family owned and operated.

During the earlier years of their business, Lena was able to pursue a personal dream,  a career in cosmetology.  She graduated Cosmetology School, but due to the growth and demands she was soon swept up in their family business.

In 1951 they began a family, which grew to include 5 sons and 1 daughter. A friend once tagged her as the “spark plug” of her family.  She was a straight shooter, who always said it the way it was; no frills. Her family knew another side of her,  she was open hearted and had a respectful ear, a great listener with unbreakable love for all her family. Her kitchen was open to all and her table the gathering place for family and friends.

To know Lena was to admire a strength which you could only wish to achieve. She was always up to the task. She could always be counted to do more than her part no matter how hard it might be.

Her life was a living example for others. She shared her love for Jehovah with all whom she met. The Bible verse that best expresses the life she lived is found at  Ephesians 4:32  “become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another just as God also by Christ freely forgave you.”

A Virtual Memorial (via Zoom or Phone tie-in) will be held on Sunday, March 14, 2021, beginning at 3 PM. All are welcome. If you'd like to attend the Memorial, please contact Danielle Zielinski by email at danielle.zielinski@gmail.com and she will provide you with the link.
 

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