Irene Ann (Lechowicz) Zulski

With deepest sorrow, we announce the death of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend Irene Ann Zulski, who left our earthly presence on Monday, October 16, 2017, at her home in Center Township.

Irene was born on January 15, 1933, to Stanley and Catherine (Kosiek) Lechowicz. She grew up on the family farm in Larks Lake, and attended a local one-room schoolhouse as a young girl. She later attended Pellston High School.

She married the love of her life, Frank “Fritz” Zulski on September 11, 1950. Together, they raised nine children. Gardening, cooking, baking, canning, and shuffling kids to and from practices and events were all a part of Irene’s daily life, yet she always had the time for others to lend a helping hand or a kind word. In addition to doing all these things for her family, she also provided a daily lunch for the workers of the family business, Zulski Lumber. It is the thought of the world without her generous and loving heart in it that breaks ours.

Irene enjoyed crocheting, sewing, going to ballgames, following the Detroit Tigers, and decorating her house for each holiday. She enjoyed playing card games like Uno and Rummy, and all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren have fond memories of her playing those games with them. Reading and completing crossword puzzles also kept her busy. She kept a large vegetable garden for many years, but her crowning achievement was her numerous, beautiful flower gardens. She took great pride in them, and especially the hummingbirds that would frequent her windows. She found solace in their presence, as we did in hers.

A lifelong member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Larks Lake, Irene was instrumental in the upkeep of the church. Meticulous care was learned from her mother, and Irene assured that the church was always immaculate and adorned with fresh flowers. She was a religious education teacher for the children of the parish as they prepared for the sacrament of Communion. Irene’s deep love for the Blessed Virgin Mary and our Lord were the foundation for her daily life.

Dedicated to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, the most important and precious thing in Irene’s life was her family. She made her home a haven for all who entered. It was a gathering place for holidays, especially Christmas Eve. She was the matriarch of our family, and quite simply, we will not ever be the same without her. There was not a soul who was afraid to go to her when in need, whether it was advice being sought or a shoulder to cry on.  She was never too busy for anyone who walked through her door.

Irene is survived by her children Frank (Mary) Zulski, Sharon Zulski, Monica Kline, David (Linda) Zulski, Gerard (Marsha) Zulski, Celeste Zulski, Nicolette (Bob) Babcock, and Michele Barr, as well as a brother, Norbert Lechowicz. She will be greatly missed by her 23 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren as well.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fritz Zulski, and her son, Ken Zulski; two grandsons, Tyler Downing and Nicholas Zulski; parents Stanley and Catherine Lechowicz; brothers Stanley Lechowicz and Eugene Lechowicz; and sons-in-law Matthew Kline and Ronald Barr.

A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Nicholas Church in Larks Lake. Visitation will be held 5-8 p.m. on Friday, October 20, with a rosary said at 7 p.m. The funeral will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 21.

The family is being attended by Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey. Donations may be made to St. Nicholas Church to purchase new altar linens/vestments that she lovingly took care of for so many years.  Family and friends are also welcome to share memories or offer condolences online at www.stonefuneralhomeinc.com

The world feels quite empty without her in it, though we know that whenever we might need her, we can look up, and she’ll be there. So now Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, friend, go, and rest in peace. May you find the joy and comfort that you provided to each of us in your ever after. Godspeed.

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