Germaine Sylvia Zaker

Germaine Sylvia ZakerOf Arlington HeightsGermaine Zaker, 93, died Saturday, May 30, 2015 in Arlington Heights. She was born on July 26, 1921 in Chicago, to Julius and Marguerite Huyvaert.Beloved mother; selfless, warm, giving, compassionate, beautiful inside and out, witty, always encouraging, always there for us, loving to the end, our best friend.She was a classical pianist (she learned it all in one year of lessons), wonderful dancer (ballroom and square), seamstress (specializing in Halloween costume creation), classroom homework special project production supervisor and creator (specializing in models of volcanos and science projects of any kind, and ancestor research).She was our always available grammar consultant (she always let you win at Scrabble, though), nurse and doctor (specializing in healing boo-boos with kisses, tending to broken bones with aspirin, preventing infection with zinc ointment and aspirin, treating burns with butter and aspirin, and colds and coughs with Elixir of Terpin Hydrate and aspirin, and always having a readily available handkerchief).She was a dedicated playmate to us with endless patience in things like watching cartoons, role playing of Winnie the Pooh characters, endless hours of creating snowflakes and paper dolls out of newspaper, putting together puzzles, and watching Poltergist over and over.She was a dietician (specializing in motivating and insuring the proper nutrition of finicky eaters, often heard saying, "it"s so good to see you eat!"), a short order cook who could make spaghetti out of tomato soup, a friend to animals (specializing in the care and feeding of poodles), and a wonderful hair stylist (especially with curlers and a babushka).She was the perfect mother to raise caring, determined, talented, and creative children.Germaine is survived by one son, John Robert Zaker of Ogden Utah, and four daughters, Mary Kathleen Gunlogson of Wheeling Illinois, Nancy Jean Tirio of Moreno Valley California, Janet Lynne Piansay of Hoffman Estates Illinois, and Beth Ann Mahalak of Arlington Heights. Germaine is survived by grandchildren, Shawn Woodruff, Chelsea Zaker, Angelique Gunlogson Underwood, Kathy Gunlogson, Shana Gunlogson, Heather Pinto, Shannon Healy, Amanda Alkevicius Creasbaum, Nicholas Piansay, and Brian Zaker." Germaine is survived by great-grandchildren, Brianna Underwood, Alexandra Underwood, Grant Underwood, Laison Woodruff, Emma Woodruff, Jacob Lederer, Joseph Lederer, and Benjamin Wistar.She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband George Zaker of Stuart Florida, her sister, Julie Helseth of Vero Beach Florida, her niece Laurie Ashley of Florida, and her son, Robert Donald Zaker of West Palm Beach Florida who died on February 19, 2015 at the age of 62.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Wayside Church in Arlington Heights for Germaine and her son, Robert at 11:00am on June 9, 2015"My son, keep your father"s commandment, and forsake not your mother"s teaching." Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck." When they walk, they will lead you, when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you wake they will talk to you." Proverbs 6:20-22In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the National Parkinson Foundation, www.Parkinson.org.