David M. Zalenski, M.D., FACOG

He was born August 12, 1956, in Detroit, to Marion T. (deceased) and Joann J. Zalenski (nee Jalowiecki). David has a younger sister, Linda. He grew up in Farmington and graduated from Farmington High School in 1974. In high school, he was a member of the tennis team, a sport he loved, and won a Conference Championship. David played both doubles and singles and was All-Conference in singles. While in high school, David was a proud member of the marching band, playing clarinet, saxophone and drums. It was there he met his future wife, Lorna. David had many other achievements in high school including National Honor Society and the Michigan Higher Education Award. David was an active participant in the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout- a proud moment for his parents and himself.

After high school, David attended the University of Michigan for his undergraduate studies, graduating in 1978 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology. While at the U of M he received Regents-Alumni Scholarship, William J. Branstorm Freshman Prize, was Phi Beta Kappa and a James B. Angell Scholar. David was also a proud member of Psi Upsilon Fraternity.

David went on to attend Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, every day bringing him closer to attaining his dream of becoming a physician. After graduation in 1982, he continued his medical education as a Resident at St. John Hospital in Detroit. While in the program at St. John he received the Upjohn Achievement Award for excellence in Endocrinology, was Resident of the Year in 1985 and won 2nd prize for Ascension St John Hospital Clinic Day Paper. After graduation from the Residency Program, he remained at St. John as a clinical instructor in Ultrasound (sharing his love of educating Residents) while also establishing a private practice in Obstetrics & Gynecology. He received his Board Certification in 1988, and was a Diplomat of the National Board of Medical Examiners and Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

David was a member of the American Medical Society, Wayne County Medical Society, Michigan State Medical Society, and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. Faculty appointments included Wayne State University Assistant Clinical Professor, Michigan State University School of Osteopathic Medicine Assistant Clinical Professor and Central Michigan University School of Medicine Assistant Clinical Professor. His professional appointments at Ascension included National Perinatal Steering Committee Member (previous Chair), MI System Women’s Health Practice Council Chair, SJH Clinical Instructor of Ultrasonography, Faculty Educator (awarded OB/GYN Instructor of the year five times), Credentials Committee Member, Perinatal Mortality Committee member, Maternal Child Professional Practice Committee member and Birthing Center Interdisciplinary Safety Committee Chair. In 2010 he was appointed Principal Investigator for the National AH (Ascension Health) Excellence in Obstetrics Perinatal Safety Grant Project for MI and was involved in developing several medical publications and presentations. Through the AH HANDS (Handling All Neonatal Deliveries Safely) Program, he was involved in the development of numerous education and patient safety simulation programs impacting hundreds of OB & FM Providers, Residents, Clinical Nurse Midwives, Physician Assistants and Nurses for excellence in Obstetrics.

David’s greatest fulfillment came from his private practice, treating patients and partnering with families. He worked for 30 years, alongside his wife Lorna (nurse & office manager), and in 2016 joined the OB/GYN Professional Group at Ascension St John. In May 2018, he became the Chair of the OB/GYN Department where he served to the fullest until his death. David was well respected and loved by many people, including patients, coworkers and the leadership at Ascension. He led with wisdom, dedication, and great appreciation for teamwork. Many say he was humble, caring, and compassionate as well as wise and organized with a passion for excellence.

David considered his greatest accomplishment in life marrying his childhood love and best friend, Lorna, whom he met 51 years ago. They were married for 41 years and always cherished and enjoyed their time together and never ended a call or left each other without saying “I love you”. They have resided in Grosse Pointe Woods for 33 years where they raised their family. David enjoyed watching and coaching his two cherished children in sports. He was a proud coach for the Redbird Organization in Grosse Pointe Woods. David was an avid fisherman. He could spend hours on Lake Saint Clair searching for that “big catch” with both of his children. David was also an avid University of Michigan fan, bleeding maize and blue. He was a true family man, preferring to spend time with his wife, children and other family members when not working. In 2015 a cherished granddaughter, Alyssa, was added to the family when his daughter Lauren married Crystle Welsh, a loving new daughter. Alyssa brought great joy to her grandpa, sharing dance, trips to Disney, and many hugs when they were together. Among the joys of his life were his dogs, Bonnie (d), Spritzer (d), Gunner and Stella. He loved sneaking food to them and enjoyed their wet kisses.

David is survived by his loving wife and best friend Lorna (nee Leroux), daughter Lauren (Crystle), granddaughter Alyssa, son Jonathan, mother Joann, sister Linda (William McGregor), mother-in-law Jean Karazim, sister-in-law Cheryl Decker, brothers-in-law Burt Decker and Jeffrey Karazim, nephews Scott McGregor (DJ), Michael McGregor, Daniel McGregor, Burt Decker, Kierra Lusk (Jonathan) and Shaun Decker, great nephews Cameron McGregor, Chance Lusk and Tony Decker, great niece Mila Lusk, many loving uncles, aunts, cousins and devoted friends. He was predeceased by his father Marion Zalenski, maternal grandparents John and Martha Jalowiecki, and paternal grandparents Wladyslaw and Helena Zalenski.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in David’s memory may be made to the Arthur & Carolyn Ulmer Endowed Chair of Women’s Health or the DeMars Family Endowed Fund Against Human Trafficking through the Ascension St. John Foundation, 19251 Mack Avenue Suite 102, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236-2881. Checks payable to Ascension St John Foundation. Donations may also be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.

Arrangements are through the A.H. Peters Funeral Home (ahpeters.com), 20705 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 6, 2020 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm at the funeral home. A celebration Mass will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2020 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, 467 Fairford Road, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236 at 12:00 pm. Mass will be livestreamed at olsos.org. Masks and social distancing will be required during the visitation and Mass. Friends are asked to limit their time during the visitation as a further precaution.