Andrea Zak

Andrea Ann Zak, 76, of Garland, Texas, passed away peacefully at her home on Good Friday, April 10, 2020. She was born in Passaic, New Jersey to Andrew and Josephine (née Blondek) Zak on May 2, 1943. Prior to her move to Texas, she lived in Clifton, New Jersey for most of her life.

Andrea graduated from Clifton High School in 1961. She then attended Newark State College (now known as Kean University) where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1965 and later a Master of Arts in Elementary Education and Teaching. She was a well-respected fourth and fifth grade teacher at Spring Garden Elementary School in Nutley, New Jersey for over 30 years, and was loved by her students and fellow teachers. Upon her retirement in 1996, Andrea relocated to Texas to be closer to her family.

Affectionately know as “Auntie,” she is survived by her sister Kathleen and brother-in-law John Turow of Denton, Texas; niece, Cheryl (William) O’Brien; nephews, John (Shana) Turow, and Glenn Turow; and her beloved great-nieces/nephew, Lauren O’Brien (fiancé Brady Conijn), Parker Turow, and Payton Turow; along with many special cousins. She was preceded in death by both her parents and great-nephew, Kyle O’Brien.

Andrea was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Richardson, Texas, and enjoyed attending mass and events with the Circle of Friends senior group. An avid traveler in her younger years, Andrea took every opportunity to see the world and vacationed during every school break. She traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Russia, Central and South America, Australia, and New Zealand. She also took numerous cruises to the Caribbean, as well as Alaska. Two of her most memorable trips were to Israel and Poland, where she enjoyed learning more about her Catholic faith and her Polish heritage. Auntie is now on her final journey, and she will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

Due to the current circumstances, a private family funeral service will be held in the chapel at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home in Colleyville, Texas at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2020. The service will be officiated by Father George from St. Mark Catholic Church in Denton, Texas. Entombment will follow in the Mausoleum at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park, with a reception for immediate family to follow in the Bluebonnet Family Lounge.

The funeral service will be broadcast via Facebook Live. You may view the service by visiting Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park's Facebook Page by following this link:

https://www.facebook.com/BluebonnetHillsFuneral/

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the William “Kyle” O’Brien Sooner Memorial Scholarship c/o the Lewisville ISD Education Foundation (LEF), causes which were dear to Auntie’s heart.