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Zrinka I Dzinich

1942 - 2018

Zrinka I Dzinich obituary, 1942-2018, Juneau, AK

BORN

1942

DIED

2018

Zrinka Dzinich Obituary

Longtime Juneau resident Zrinka I. Dzinich died peacefully at home with her family by her side on January 18, 2018, after a yearlong struggle with pancreatic cancer. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Paul's Catholic Church in the valley, Juneau, Alaska, on Saturday, February 17, 2018, at 1 p.m., followed by a celebration of life/reception at the nearby Hurlock Hall (Parish Hall). Friends and family are welcome.
She was preceded in death by her mother Ivanka Simatic and father Nikola Simatic.
She is survived by her siblings Peter Simatic and Astrica Simatic; husband Kurt S. Dzinich Sr.; children Kurt S. Dzinich Jr., Lara B. Dzinich and son-in-law John R. Moran Jr., Sonia J. Dzinich; and grandchildren Derek R. Dzinich, Sebastian K. Bradley, Cassie J. Dzinich, Willow M. Bradley, and Sayja S. Bradley. In addition, she has many extended family members living in Bosnia & Hercegovina, Croatia, France, Canada and Florida.
Zrinka was born in Sisak, Croatia to Ivanka Scarpa and Nikola Simatic during WWII. Following the war, she was forced to flee to Austria with her mother and siblings where they were taken in by a farm family while awaiting entry into the U.S. as refugees. Her father was killed while trying to join them in Austria. They crossed the Atlantic in a troop transport and she entered America as a ten-year-old. She arrived in Chicago, with her mother, brother, and sister in 1952. She was placed into an orphanage with her siblings because their mother had to work two jobs. They were allowed weekend visits only.
She attended a Catholic boarding school and convent in Indiana and was slated to become a nun. After graduation, she decided to take a year off to spend time with her mother before taking her vows. During this time, she also became a U.S. citizen in 1957. It was during this time that she met her future husband and they became engaged just before he was called to active duty and shipped off to France with the U.S. Army. On June 15th 1963, they were married in Chicago and then returned to France together aboard the Queen Mary. From here on she would become part of her husband's military life and despite many challenges, excelled at it. From France, they were assigned to the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana where her son was born at nearby Chanute Air Force Base. Next, she lived in Chicago with her mother and father in-law while her husband was deployed to Vietnam from 1966 until 1967.
Upon his return, they were assigned to Fort Belvoir VA where her two daughters were born. When her husband was again deployed to Vietnam from 1969-1970, she stayed in Sterling VA. Upon his return, they were assigned to the Juneau Resident Engineer Office, Corps of Engineers, Alaska District, in charge of building the Snettisham Hydroelectric Power Project. The family drove cross country to Prince Rupert, Canada where they boarded the ferry TAKU to Juneau, Alaska. During the next three years, she cared for her family, worked for Lucas Motors, fell in love with Alaska, and the family chose to become permanent residents of the State.
In 1973, Zrinka and family were redeployed to Goeppingen, West Germany and left Juneau with a heavy heart, promising to return. In 1976, the family was again redeployed to the Army's Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah. That was followed with another, final assignment to Fort McCoy in Wisconsin in 1979. In 1981, her husband decided to retire from the Army and accept a job with the Alaska State Legislature in Juneau Alaska.
Zrinka and the kids joined her husband there in January 1982 where she was to display her exceptional multitasking talents as a working mom of three teenagers, helping to home care first for her in-laws, and then for her mother and sister. During that time, she managed to obtain a Master's degree in Education from University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) in 1985. While she greatly enjoyed working as the Executive Secretary to the UAS Chancellors, she always aspired to be a teacher and finally became one in 1991, teaching at Juneau-Douglas High School. She taught business and English classes, where she excelled in helping her students do their best. In addition, she was heavily involved in organizing many social school events for students and staff. While she enjoyed teaching, shortly after the arrival of her first two grandchildren, she retired in 1999 so that she could fully enjoy being a grandmother par excellence.
During her time in Juneau, and until the very end, she was full of energy, life, and an inspiration to her family, extended family members, and many friends and acquaintances. She was a dedicated, active member of the Catholic Church, UAS Alumni Association, and the Juneau Yacht Club. She was treasurer for the Catholic Youth Ministry, a passionate member of the church choir and a Eucharistic Minister. At the same time, she was the social event organizer for the Juneau Yacht Club. She also enjoyed playing piano at the Juneau Pioneer Home and annually held a palachinka (Croatian crepes) party for the residents and staff. She loved hosting large family holiday dinners, always including extra room for friends. In addition to being a full-time mother, wife, working, and advancing her education, she was into many activities and hobbies. She loved traveling & visiting extended family in Croatia, Bosnia & Hercegovina, France, Austria and Germany. She was an excellent skier and loved all types of dancing. Additionally, she participated in tennis, skating, running, racquetball and sailing/boating/fishing. Once retired she enjoyed cruising life with her husband and completed over 14 cruises, including their favorite 5 round trips to Hawaii. She completed her last 19-day round trip cruise to Panama in November 2017, and most importantly enjoyed having a balcony all the while busily planning another Hawaii cruise in March of 2018… She was always full of energy and on the go. Her warm smile, sunny nature and willingness to offer a helping hand touched all who met her. Her exemplary life was cut short by a very aggressive pancreatic cancer, and she will be forever missed….
In accordance with her wishes she was cremated and will be buried at the Arlington National Cemetery with her husband at a future date… There will be a memorial plaque in the Alaskan Memorial Park in Juneau, Alaska. For viewing the obituary, posting memories, and photos, go to www.legacyalaska.com.

Published by Juneau Empire from Feb. 13 to Mar. 12, 2018.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
for Zrinka Dzinich

Sponsored by Kurt S.Dzinich Sr.

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To the family you are not alone during this time of sorrow and pain. May God give your family strength and comfort to help you endure this loss. As you remember your beloved one, the God of peace give you comfort and peace in every way. May you find Strength from the love and care that surrounds you and comfort in the memories that you shared. Please accept my sincere condolences. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Wanda S. Ohio

March 13, 2018

Thinking of you from afar. My deepest condolences, Chris G

March 11, 2018

My deepest sympathies to the Dzinich family. Ms. Dzinich taught me to type when I was a student at JDHS -- she was a great teacher and an inspiration, in addition to teaching me the most valuable skill I learned while a student there. She will be missed.

March 3, 2018

March 2, 2018

My deepest sympathy goes out to the family. May you find much comfort from our God of comfort during this difficult time (Act 24:15)

March 1, 2018

Sending my sincere condolences to the family. May the God of comfort give you strength and peace during this difficult time. -Psalm 29:11

February 28, 2018

R C

February 27, 2018

so very sorry for your loss. rip zrinka!

Tom Locher

February 22, 2018

May peace be yours to bring comfort. May you have courage to face the days ahead, and loving memories to forever hold in your heart. May God continue to comfort your family (Psalm 9:9,10).

Gb

February 21, 2018

I worked with Zrinka at UAS, but I had no idea of her background and all the amazing projects she was involved in. What a lady. So glad I had the opportunity to know her and work with her.

Jean L

February 18, 2018

Zrinka was indeed a beautiful person and that gracious photo beams of your love returned to her. I am happy for the pride you have in her and may such energy fill you for any terrain you traverse. Proverbs 31:31 and Psalms 62:11, 12 show the rewards possible for her and all.

February 18, 2018

So sorry to hear of her passing! She was a stalwart in the St. Paul's choir, a generous supporter of her friends and family, and a wonderful friend.

Gordon and Connie Preecs

February 18, 2018

One of the most amazing women I've met. And I feel like I knew so little about her after reading her story. What an inspiration to us all, if only we can leave such a legacy. Rest in Peace, Zrinka.

Susan S

February 17, 2018

I am very sorry for your loss. May you find comfort from the promise of seeing our loved ones again (1Thessalonians 4:13,14). My deepest sympathies go out to the family.

February 17, 2018

My sincerest condolences to the Dzinich family. Zrinka led an extraordinary life and was an exceptional member of our UAS family, as a student, alum, and employee. She will always be remembered for the many hand-knitted Afghan blankets she donated over the years to the Alumni Association auction to help raise funds for student scholarships.

My thoughts are with her family and friends.

Rick Caulfield

February 16, 2018

Zrinka was my first supervisor at UAJ in 1985ish! She was the nicest, sweetest, most helpful person to anyone and everyone. Seeing her around town after she left was always such a pleasure. I remember meeting Baca one time at Costco (I think). She will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her!!

Karen Cummins

February 16, 2018

I worked with Zrinka at UAJ long ago. I have pleasant memories of her, UAJ and Juneau. RIP Zrinka.

February 16, 2018

I met Zrinka when we were taking a class at (UAJ) - UAS many years ago. She had a warm smile and friendly personality. I'm glad I had a chance to see her on a Cancer walk with her family. May memories of this wonderful lady fill your mind and warm your heart.

Shirley Walkush

February 16, 2018

Always a smile, always a hug, always a kind word.

February 15, 2018

I am so sad to hear of the loss of one of my favorite teachers at JDHS. Ms Dzinich made a lasting impression on me and I really enjoyed her class. She was a wonderful teacher and just a really nice person. Condolences to the family.

Amber Marshall

February 15, 2018

I have many fond memories of Zrinka from our UAJ/UAS days---she was a truly great person.

Linda Simpson

February 15, 2018

I'm sorry to learn Ms. Dzinich has passed and sorry for your loss. My condolences to her family and friends. Not only was she a co-worker of my mother, she was one of my favorite teachers in high school. Rest in Peace Ms. Dzinich

Susan M

February 15, 2018

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