Verna R. (Schultz) Zwolinski, 91, a longtime resident of Winchester, died peacefully on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at Langdon Place in Keene with her loving family present.
Verna was born in St. Paul, Minn., on November 30, 1922, the daughter of the late Rose M. (Paquette) and Louis W. Schultz. After moving to South St. Paul, the family traveled by car to Winchester with the Elmer Sederstrom family in December of 1938, when her father assumed a supervisory position at A. C. Lawrence Leather Co. Verna graduated from Thayer High School in the class of 1940 and from Houle’s Beauty Academy in 1944, which began her long career as a beautician. During this time she also worked at the tannery with her father, and in 1943, during World War II, she accepted on behalf of the women employees, the prestigious Army-Navy E Production Award in a ceremony attended by N.H. Governor Robert O. Blood.
On September 15, 1945, she exchanged vows with James Ziggie B. Zwolinski at the former St. Stanislaus Church in Winchester. As Verna would explain, she first saw him running up the steps of the church and knew instantly that “he was the one.” They were happily married for forty-three years before his death on May 2, 1989. On May 4, 2014, Verna was able to attend the 25th Anniversary Mass celebrating his life at St. Bernard Church in Keene.
Verna was a businesswoman and owner of a supply house and earlier salons in Winchester and Keene, She retired in 1988 from the Village Beauty Salon in Kulick’s Mall in Winchester after a career of forty-four years. She later worked at Walmart in Hinsdale.
Verna was a woman of great faith and was a member of St. Stanislaus Church in Winchester, where she sang in the choir and was a member of the Ashuelot-Winchester Catholic Society. She was also a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary. Verna delighted in people, was a friend to all and treasured those friendships. Reading was a joy to her as were bird-watching, going to auctions, and exploring family genealogy. She could get any houseplant to flourish and spent many happy hours in her flower and vegetable gardens. She visited family in Minnesota and Arizona and traveled to numerous other states and abroad with her family. In addition, Verna enjoyed cruises with her husband and playing golf. She was a fabulous cook and baker. Her cinnamon rolls alone were legend. When time permitted, she could be found painting or working with ceramics. More than anything else, she loved being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and was always there to provide total love and support to her family through the years.
Mrs. Zwolinski is survived by her four daughters, Lauren R. Tucker and her husband, Wayne Duke of Keene, Carlene R. Zwolinski of Hinsdale, Roxanne L. Davenport and her husband, Thomas of Winchester, and Melanie A. Zwolinski of Hinsdale; three grandchildren, Tori Anne Schriver and her husband, Matt of Keene, Erica Singh and her husband, Sachi of Cambridge, Mass., and Joel Davenport and his wife, Patty of Chester, Vt.; two great-grandchildren, Emma Schriver and Jonathan Davenport, and two great-grandchildren who will be born this summer; her sister-in-law, Elise Schultz of Winchester; her beloved friend of seventy-six years, Eldoris (Sederstrom) O’Connor of Lantana, Fla.. and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Her brother, Louis A. Schultz, his wife, Joan, and brother, Walter J. Schultz, died earlier.
A Mass with Christian Burial Rights will be held on Friday, May 30, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Church, Richmond Rd., in Winchester. Burial will follow in the family lot at Evergreen Cemetery, Richmond Rd., in Winchester. There are no calling hours. Flowers will gladly be accepted. However, the family would prefer donations be made in memory of Verna R. Zwolinski to: St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, Mary Queen of Peace Parish, 161 Main St., Keene, NH. 03431.
All Services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 44 Maple Ave., Keene, NH. 03431. WWW.cheshirefamilyfh.com.
