Irene Beverly Zajac

Zajac, Irene Beverly
(née Prushinski) passed from this life on January 1, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona, after a brief illness. She was surrounded in her final days, as throughout her life, by family and friends who loved her. Irene was born in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania on March 21, 1920, the youngest child of Jan Prushinski and Anna Prushinski (née Milczerek). From an early age, Irene was a pillar of strength. Her work ethic and economy helped see her family through the Great Depression and served as a model in more prosperous times. Irene spent much of her life in Chicago, Illinois, where she enjoyed working for many years as a cashier. In retirement, she moved with her husband John Paul Zajac to Mesa, Arizona. There she joined her children and grandchildren, to whom she was affectionately known as Busia. Following the death of her husband, she remained for more than two decades the spirited, independent matriarch of her growing family. Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her three brothers, Adam Prushinski, Leo Prushinski and Stanley "Chick" Prushinski; her husband; their son, John Joseph Zajac; and granddaughter, Shannon Peterson and many more loved ones with whom she now rejoices. She is survived by her daughter, Ann Peterson, and son-in-law, John "Rick" Peterson, with whom she lived in her later years; and her daughter-in-law, Bibi Zajac. Also surviving Irene are grandchildren John Allen Zajac, Tammy Zajac and Eric Peterson; great-grandchildren Christopher Zajac, Michael Zajac, Jacob Zajac, Jessica Zajac and Henry Dillon Peterson; and great-great-grandson Kayden Zajac. She will be deeply missed by Frances Molenda, Mary Koscielniak, Ann Zielinski, Fred Zielinski, Florence Stachowiak, Cynthia Bartosik, Kelly Zajac, Sage Dillon, Brittany Miller, and many others among her extended family and friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Mortuary, 1562 East Baseline Road, Mesa, Arizona 85204, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 440 East Elliot Road, Gilbert, Arizona 85234. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in the name of Irene Beverly Zajac to the Foundation for Blind Children, 1235 East Harmont Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85020, Phone 602.331.1470. Foundation for Blind Children, Phoenix, Arizona: http://www.seeitourway.org/ Arrangements entrusted to Queen of Heaven Mortuary.