Irene (Zimmie) Zalewski, 88, of Bridgeport died January 4 at St Vincent’s Medical Center, Bridgeport. She was born in Dickson City, Penn., the daughter of Stella (Price) and Thomas Zimmie.

She leaves behind her loving and devoted family, daughters June Gallucci, and her husband Tony, of Newtown, and Diane Zalewski; sons Gerald, and his wife Martha, and Thomas, and his wife Karen; six grandchildren, Robyn, Stephanie, Lauren, Lindsay, Tony, and Ricky; her brother Thomas Zimmie and his wife Judy; and nephew David. Her husband, Frank, predeceased Mrs Zalewski. 

She was a wonderful and devoted mother, sister, daughter, and a friend to many. She especially enjoyed attending her daughters’ and grandsons’ baseball and basketball events throughout the years, and enjoyed the company of all their friends who became her extended family. She was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and UConn women’s and men’s basketball teams.

Mrs Zalewski worked at Read’s Department Store as a telephone operator for 18 years and also as a receptionist for H&R Block. She was a member of the Catholic War Veterans Post #1466 in Fairfield.

The family would like to sincerely thank Dr Benjamin Weisman and his staff for their exceptional and overwhelming care and concern for Mrs Zalewski for more than 25 years. Also, special gratitude to her personal caregivers, Yvette Ester and Marcia Young.

Funeral services will take place Wednesday, January 7, at 10 am, meeting directly in St Andrew Church, 435 Anton Street, Bridgeport, with a Mass of Christian Burial. Inurnment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. At her request, there will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either the Catholic War Veterans Post #1466 in Fairfield via www.cwv.org, or the American Lung Association, 45 Ash Street, East Hartford CT 06108 or www.lung.org.

To send online condolences, visit www.redgatehennessy.com.