Viola Zega

Viola Zega SOUTH OGDEN – On Friday, August 10, 2007, Viola Zega left this life suddenly, peacefully, and oh so gently. And, as you’re reading this, she and her beloved husband are together again – dancing and laughing – as they did so often on Friday nights. Viola was born April 22, 1916 to Josephine Dudek and James Gierucki in Phoenix, Illinois – brought into this world by her father’s mother who was a midwife. Her parents were business people; her father mayor of the town, and in her early life she thought she could be anything she wanted to be – which for all of her life was a home economics teacher. Unfortunately, the sudden death of her father at 16, and the Depression, caused her to leave high school after her junior year to go to work to help support her mother and younger brother. Vi was engaged to be married when a handsome young soldier asked her to dance. Shortly afterward, the engagement was called off and Vi and Bill Zega were married in Alexandria, Louisiana on June 5, 1943. They had each other, two children, and a long, good life together. Vi was by her own words “a go getter”. She owned a drapery shop in Chicago and even made curtains for the Chicago Theatre. She cooked and kept house like Betty Crocker and her kids referred to her as “the original superwoman”. She was always there for her family – making clothes, sewing costumes, making stuffed animals, baking for the bake sales, attending all of the school functions her kids were in, and serving as a 24 hour taxi service whenever her kids needed a ride. Most of her life was lived in Chicago, then California, Arizona, Washington, back to Arizona, and for the last seven years - Utah. Despite the many trials and hardships in her life she came through with steely determination, remarkable inner strength, and a great sense of humor. Despite her increasing physical frailty, her mind was clear, sharp, and quick; and, she neither looked nor acted like a 91-year old. Vi is survived by her daughter, Dr. Nancy Zega, Ogden; and her son, Ron and Penny Zega, Scottsdale, AZ. Funeral services will be held Monday at 7 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may call at the mortuary on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. Additional funeral services will be held in Harvey, Illinois, with interment next to her husband at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, Illinois. The family wishes to thank Dr. Grace O’Brien and all of the wonderful CNA’s and staff at Mountain Ridge that took such good care of Mom and cared so much for her these past six years. She truly loved you all. Email condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com