Marie Angela Zielinski Age 28 years, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 22, 2009 at home, with her loving family by her side, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Joliet August 12, 1980. Marie was a graduate of Joliet West High School. She was also a graduate of the University of St. Francis with a degree in Special Education. She was employed as a special education teacher at Farragut Elementary School in Joliet. Marie enjoyed many outdoor activities. Some of her favorites were biking, rollerblading, canoeing, and boating on the Kankakee River. But the two she got the most enjoyment out of were the weeklong NASCAR Event at the Chicagoland Speedway, that she attended every July, and the family 4th of July Celebration. Marie was very outgoing and got great joy out of spending time with family and friends. She was a devoted teacher who touched the lives of many of her students and coworkers. Marie enjoyed life and got the most out of every day. Marie is the dearest daughter of Gary and Jean (Scholtes) Zielinski; fond sister of Gail Zielinski; beloved granddaughter of William Scholtes and David and Theresa Zielinski; also survived by her devoted and long time companion Eric Gurnitz; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her sister, Laura Zielinski (1984); and her grandmother, Dorothy (Setina) Scholtes. Funeral services will be held from the Blackburn-Giegerich-Sontag Funeral Home, 1500 Black Rd. on Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery Joliet. Visitation Friday, June 26, 2009 from 4 to 8 p.m and Saturday starting at 9 a.m. till the time of services. Marie had a vision to help other people in need and a fund for this purpose will be set up in her name. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made as gifts in Marie's memory to seed this vision. Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag 1500 Black Rd. near Midland 815-744-4444 www.bgsfuneralhome.com

Published in Herald News from June 24 to June 25, 2009