CARTHAGE, NY — Elaine Margaret Zembiec, 87, formerly of Carthage, passed away on March 19, 2024, at the State Veteran’s Home in Humboldt, TN.
Elaine was born at home in South Rockwood, Michigan on Sept. 15, 1936. She was the oldest child of seven children born to Frank (Merl) and Margaret VanWasshnova. She was a 1954 graduate of Airport Community High School in Carleton, Michigan.
Three days before her 19th birthday, Elaine enlisted in the Air Force on September 12, 1955 and completed her basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Later, while stationed at Westover Air Force base in Massachusetts, she met her husband of 64 years, Robert Zembiec of Carthage, NY. They were married on June 13th, 1959 in Elaine’s home church in South Rockwood, Michigan.
They settled in Carthage, NY where they raised their 4 children. In 1995 they retired and moved to Springville, Tennessee.
In April of 2022, they moved to Lakeside Senior Living Community in McKenzie, Tennessee where she made many more new friends.
In July of 2023 they moved in to the W.D. “Bill” Manning Tennessee State Veteran’s Home in Humboldt, TN together.
Elaine was an excellent seamstress who enjoyed gardening; canning and preserving home grown vegetables; birdwatching; many other crafts; and researching her genealogy. She was a collector of many things because, well, you never know when you might need it. There wasn’t a yard sale she ever passed by without at least slowing down and more likely than not, stopping to browse. She and her husband started a stained glass business where she would draw the patterns of the many custom made designs for their customers.
She was talented in many ways and a very intelligent woman. She was quiet, but when she had something to say she said it. She would light up recalling times with her family and friends from early on in her life. Her faith was important to her. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, tending to a garden more beautiful than we could ever imagine. All who knew Elaine would agree with the director at Lakeside Senior Living who told her the day she moved out and into the VA
home, “ They don’t make women like you anymore.”
Elaine left behind her husband, Robert and her four children, Dave (Barbara), Thomas (Maureen), Laura Baker (BJ/Merle) and Rebecca Hank (Daniel), ten grandchildren and two great granddaughters.
She was predeceased by her siblings Richard VanWasshnova, Keith VanWasshnova, and Raymond VanWasshnova.
She is survived by her sister Joan Belisle and brothers Carl VanWasshnova and Charles VanWasshnova.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the W.D. “Bill” Manning Tennessee State Veteran’s Home in Humboldt, TN for the care they provided for our parents; the Knights of Columbus at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Paris, TN, who over the years provided meals and transportation to appointments; and finally the Gentiva Hospice, Jackson, TN, who provided love and kindness to both our parents in their final, stages of life.
Please consider a donation in Robert (who passed a month after) and Elaine’s name to any one of these organizations.