Ann Zinecker

Our dear mother, Ann Elizabeth Zinecker, passed away on her birthday, August 31, at the age of 86. She leaves behind Jim, her husband of 64 years and steadfast caregiver during her battle with Alzheimer’s, and four living children, Pete (Kirsten), Jim (Tricia), Janet (Jack) and Steve (Kathy), along with 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her oldest son Joe (JoAnne), precedes her in heaven. 

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1938, Ann Lesch envisioned a modern career for herself post-World War II, so she started as a secretary/operator until she met her husband Jim Zinecker. They married in 1959 and quickly started a family, moving to Texas in 1968. She set an example every day of compassion, dedication, practicality and understated yet always present love. She inspired her children to be strong and dreamed them to be their best. Throughout her long life, she contributed to her family and her community in many ways. 

A consummate homemaker, Ann knew how to stretch a dollar including making cost-effective casseroles for her family, which only she really liked. She ironed while she watched Jeopardy, answering questions aloud for the benefit of her young children in the room, while she also absorbed knowledge. She managed and supported countless school, scout, sports and musical endeavors. She was always willing to play a game -- often leaving the significant loads of laundry for a family of seven piled on the couch! Her love of card and board games lasted until the end. 

Ann found great satisfaction in self-educating herself. She was a voracious reader of all types of books, read the newspaper cover to cover daily and watched the nightly news. She took every opportunity to reinforce to her children the significance of current events, history and especially the importance of education. She made sure the pop-up camper was always stocked and ready for frequent trips. Eating bologna and fried Spam sandwiches along the way, Ann insisted there be educational stops at historic sites, even when her children grumbled about it. She took tremendous pride in knowing that she went “five for five” in college-educated children. 

When her children were grown, Ann fulfilled her own dream of having a career. At first, she became a tax preparer. Later, she started an estate sale business. Attic Ann Estate Sales satisfied her love of history while also generating an independent income, as she had envisioned she would do as a young woman. She prided herself in divvying out the most cherished collectibles and mementos of her life to her children and grandchildren to ensure those precious items had another life to appreciate and care for them. Later in life, before Alzheimer’s, she did cost-free taxes for the elderly and she volunteered at a nearby nursing home. 

A devoted Catholic, Ann went to church every Sunday. She insisted her family do the same – even on camping trips. When she could no longer attend church, she attended online and gratefully accepted communion at home from a church volunteer, which she had done previously. 

Ann was never the center of attention and never needed to be. As a mother, friend and person, she set the best example of servant leadership. She was a faithful spouse, the rock of our family and the best mom ever. 

A funeral mass is set for 10 a.m. Sat., Sept. 7, 2024, at St. Jude Catholic Church in Mansfield. A celebration of life at Shady Valley Country Club,  4001 W. Park Row Drive, Arlington, Texas 76013, will follow at 1 p.m.