Obituary

Pauline Zenkus, obituary

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 6:45pm

OWLS HEAD — Pauline Zenkus, 91, died peacefully May 10, 2015, surrounded by family, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport.

Born Dec. 11, 1923, in Seymour, Conn., she was the daughter of Anthony and Annie Klimovich Bariluk. Educated in Connecticut, she was a 1941 graduate of Ansonia High School.

Following high school, Pauline was employed as a riveter for Vought Aircraft during World War II. She loved to recount how, due to her small stature, she was often asked to sneak into small spaces to rivet where larger men could not reach.

On Nov. 24, 1945, Pauline married William John Zenkus at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Ansonia. Together they made their home in Connecticut their entire married life. When her children were young, Pauline remained at home, always active in their lives.

Later she returned to the workforce, helping to open a Bradlee's Department Store in Derby, Conn. She was proud to have served as an office manager there for many years. Her daughter remembers she completed payroll for the entire store, long before there were computer programs to assist with that task.

About five years after the death of her husband in 1980, Pauline moved to Owls Head, where she happily resided with her daughter and son-in-law. She loved the ocean, being near it and watching the boats pass by. She kept busy with handicrafts, especially sewing. One accomplishment was creating and sewing all the napkins, tablecloths and curtains for her daughter and son-in-law's restaurant, The Benner House in Rockland. Any family member she could draft assisted with this project. More recently she has enjoyed knitting, making scarfs for each family member. Her latest and most passionate project was making sure she completed 18 scarves for the members of the Oceanside High School Winter Special Olympics Team. With skeins of red and white yarn at her side, she has been working hard to complete this project. Her family promised to continue her mission.

Pauline will be remembered as a peacemaker, one who would not stand for any discord in her family. She was always the one to make sure people made up and didn't let differences come between them. She was warm and loving and her home was always filled with family and friends. Her daughter said she had a wonderful sense of humor and not a mean bone in her body. She will be sadly missed by all who loved her.

Predeceased by her beloved husband; Pauline is survived by her children, Cynthia Ann Nelson and her husband, Charles, of Owls Head, and William Zenkus Jr. and his wife, Jacqueline, of Seymour, Conn.; her grandchildren, Shannon Ducret and her husband, Paul, Brianna Zenkus and Sean Zenkus; her great-granddaughters, Kaitlyn Carver and Rebecca Ducret; her sister-in-law and close friend, Jane Bariluk; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service and burial at St. Augustine Cemetery in Connecticut will be announced at a later date.

Pauline loved animals, especially the Newfoundland dogs that lived in her household over the years. Donations may be made, in her memory, to Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.