Nancy M. Zientara

Nancy M. Zientara

Nancy M. Zientara passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at Otterbein Sunset House, with her family by her side.

Nancy was born May 27, 1930, in Toledo, Ohio, to Julius and Edna (Bohm) Petsch. She was a graduate of Libbey High School, Class of 1948. After graduation, she began working at Ohio Bell Telephone Company, where she met her husband, George David Zientara. Together, they celebrated 49 years of marriage, before his passing on May 20, 1998. They had three children, Deborah Zientara Dredge, Gregg David Zientara, and Lori Zientara Edgeworth. Most of her married life was spent as a homemaker. She had much love and pride in her family. When her older children were in high school, Nancy returned to work. She took a position as school secretary for the Diocese of Toledo at St. Jude Catholic Grade School. Nancy loved working with the school children, and in 1979 was nominated and recognized as National Catholic School Secretary of the Year. After 17 years at St. Jude, Nancy retired in 1993.

Nancy loved to travel, especially to the beaches in Florida, and the Outer Banks in North Carolina. The highlight of her travel was a trip to Europe to visit her son and family who lived in Paris. She and her husband, George David, visited France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

Nancy was an avid University of Michigan Football fan. She and her husband, George Zientara, were football season ticket holders for many years. They also held University of Toledo basketball season tickets, and rarely missed a game. Nancy was an election day poll worker beginning at the age of 18, and continued until 2008. She was involved with Libbey High School alumni and helped plan reunion events for the class of 1948. She loved dancing, card games, and being active on a daily basis. Nancy was a member of the Toledo Police Retirees Association until her death.

Nancy had a definite fondness for the Toledo Police Department, as her husband George D. Zientara was a Toledo Police Officer for 30 years, retiring in 1982.

Nancy married George Thabit, a retired Toledo Police Officer, in 2004. Together they enjoyed 19 years of marriage, until his passing in 2023.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Violet Petsch Pautz, Melvin Petsch, and Evelyn Petsch Sanderson; husbands, George David Zientara and George Thabit; along with many other family members.

Nancy is survived by her children, Deborah Zientara Dredge (Greg), Gregg D. Zientara (Beth Bagby), and Lori Zientara Edgeworth (Jim); her 8 grandchildren, Jenny Dredge Moeller (Matt), Brian Gregory Dredge (Michelle), Sarah Dredge Ulery (Tyler), Kathryn Zientara Willis (Jesse), Allison Zientara Jones (Mike), Michael Anthony Zientara (Tory Rezin), Alexandra Edgeworth Schoen (Ben), and Conner James Edgeworth (Jackie); 18 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; as well as many members of the Thabit family; and special care-giver, Sheila Bernhard.

Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd., on Thursday, January 9th, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 10th, in the mortuary, at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at Toledo Memorial Park.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of Otterbein Sunset House for their care and friendship of Nancy over the past two and half years. In addition, we would like to thank Ohio Living Home Health and Hospice for their support and service during the last two months.

Donations may be made to Ohio Living Home Health and Hospice. Please view and sign our online "guest registry" at CoyleFuneralHome.com