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Tara van Zuuk Obituary
Tara E. van Zuuk, 60, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer.
Tara was born in New York, NY on March 14, 1956 to the late William J. van Zuuk and Ellen (Flavin) van Zuuk. After the passing of her mother at an early age, William remarried and Tara and her siblings were raised by Claire van Zuuk.
Tara graduated from Rye Neck High School in Mamaroneck in 1974 and attended Westchester Community College. Tara was a superior athlete, in high school she was captain of both their basketball and softball teams and this leadership carried over into her lifelong managerial career.
Tara loved traveling, mentoring, was a passionate Democrat, and loved her four legged kids.
She is survived by her loving spouse, best friend and soul mate of 39 years, Linda Johnson; and their children Eric Johnson and his wife Heather of Waterbury and Jill Piccirillo and her husband Dave of Trumbull; four grandchildren, Brianne, Brendan, Morgan and Matthew. Tara is also survived by her sister, Shaun Marie of Schenectady, NY; brother Kurt van Zuuk and wife Ingvor of Brooklyn, NY; sister Bonnie van Zuuk of Grand Island, NE; and brother Dirk Vanzuuk and wife Patti of Garrison, NY. Along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.
Her family appreciates the compassion and professionalism of the entire staff from the Harold Leever Center and Hartford Health Hospice. The family would also like to thank our dear friend Darlene Vojtek for the continuous love and support throughout Tara's courageous battle.
A funeral Mass will be held Monday January 30, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Church, 525 Woodtick Road, Wolcott, CT 06716. Calling hours are Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home, 115 Willow St., Waterbury.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Tara's memory can be made to The Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, 1075 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708. Visit www.murphyfuneralhomect.com for more information or to send an online condolence.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Tara van Zuuk
3 Entries
L J
February 15, 2017
It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.
Tim Connelly
January 28, 2017
To Tara's loved one's and family- I was a colleague of Tara's for a number of years. I got to know her through the general manager meetings we attended and the multiple conferences over the years. She must have been a good person because like myself, she was an animal lover. I would often hear her speak of their Rotti's like family members. Tara always had something to say at our meetings and often expressed her views with passion. We will miss Tara at our Olive Garden functions and she will always be on our minds when we are together as a management team.
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Murphy Funeral Home - Waterbury115 Willow Street, Waterbury, CT 06710-2090
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