Phyllis I. Zielinski

PHYLLIS ISABEL (CUSICK) ZIELINSKI Our dear Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Great-Great-Grandmother and friend to many went to see the Lord on Friday, March 17th, 2023 amongst her loving family. She was born on September 8, 1923 in Wenatchee, WA to Norman Vincent Cusick and Ruth ‘Hume’ Cusick. She was the youngest of three children. Norman ‘Earl’ Cusick and Darl W. Cusick were her brothers. She spent the first 4 years of life living in Port Hardy on Vancouver Island on a houseboat as her father was a logger. After that, they moved back to Wenatchee to be near family and that is where she met the “love of her Life”, Ted Zielinski, when her brother Earl brought him home on leave from the US Army to visit. During the war years while waiting for Teddy to come home, Phyllis worked at Boeing Field in Seattle as a “Rivet Bucker” (Rosie the Riveter). Ted always said it was love at first sight and that led to their wedding on June 19, 1943. During the baby boom after the war Mom and dad welcomed four children to their busy household. They lived in various areas of Wenatchee and because her two brothers and husband Ted were in construction, they always built apartments or houses next door to each other. The two most important things in Phyllis life were faith and family. She led by example and lived what she believed. She was an avid Bridge player and was a member for many years with the Seattle Children’s Orthopedic Guild in which they raised money through their bridge club. Phyllis took up tennis with her brothers’ encouragement, and her husband and brothers built the original WRAC tennis facility which they turned over to the members Ownership as a private club. She played tennis until she was 90 years old. By far her biggest accomplishment was the creation of a very large and loving family. She was a loving matriarch and an inspiration to the family. She had an open door policy and welcomed all with food, conversation, unconditional listening, hugs and lots of game playing. There were Seahawk Sundays, Celebrations, Christmas Eve dinners and many other holidays shared. She was always there to lend a helping hand to all in need. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ted, brothers Earl and Darl, son Ron and grandson Matthew Zielinski. Forever loving her are her children; Gina/Don Talbot, daughter-in-law Julie Zielinski, Randy/Lisa Zielinski, Kathy and Don Heffner; and grandchildren Scott/Chelsea Baird, Carmen/Brett Johnson, Corey/Misti Baird, Bre/Adam Bates, Paul Talbot, Tami/Brad McKnight, Mark/Jessica Zielinski, Chris Lindquist, Lindsay/Dustin Knight, Adam/Kayla Heffner; and great grandchildren Brodie, Catie and Jake Baird, Stephanie/Pat Prazer, Kyle/Leandra Johnson, Tanner Johnson, Avery Baird, Hope and Alex Baker, Alexis, Lizzy and Drew McKnight, Callie Zielinski, Zachary and Conor Knight, Madalyn Heffner, Lucas and Ryan Bates; and great-great grandchildren Eleanore and Charlie Prazer.

Tributes

Phyllis I. Zielinski

September 8, 1923 - March 17, 2023