Florence Mary Zemitis

Florence M. Zemitis, age 98, formerly of Colorado Springs, passed away on September 20, 2023, at Life Care Center Stonegate in Parker, CO. She lived a blessed, long life as a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, daughter, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, caring nurse, and loyal friend.

Florence was born on February 3, 1925, in Lansford, Pennsylvania to Peter and Mary (Mezyk) Kielbasa. She grew up in Summit Hill, PA where she attended Catholic school and worked in her mother’s neighborhood grocery store. After high school graduation she received her nursing degree from Philadelphia General Hospital. In May of 1946 she married John Zemitis who had been serving in the Army Air Force in the Pacific during WWII. They were married for sixty-two happy years. John’s military career brought them to Washington DC where MaryAnne was born in 1947, then to Germany where John Jr. (Mickey) was born in 1949 and Patricia in 1952. Other accompanied assignments were in New Jersey, Vermont, England, Colorado Springs, Hawaii, and Kansas. Upon John’s retirement in 1974 the couple made Colorado Springs their home. Through the years, Florence worked as a registered nurse and finished her B.S. in Health Arts at College of St. Francis, Joliet, IL in 1981. She continued her nursing career until retirement from Penrose Hospital.

Florence enjoyed time with her family, special neighbors and friends, and took pleasure in watching her children and grandchildren grow and prosper. She loved to golf, and her favorite hobby was flower design and decorating—the hobby she transferred to her beautiful coloring in later years. Highlights of holiday celebrations were her homemade pierogis and poppy seed and nut breads, but she was always happiest with ice cream or peanut butter. She was an avid Denver Bronco fan and looked forward to Sunday games for get-togethers.

Florence leaves behind children MaryAnne Wheeler of Birmingham MI, John (Debbie) Zemitis of Chino Hills, CA, and Patricia (J. Curt) Penny of Sterling, CO; grandchildren Michael (Gretchen) Wheeler, Mary Suzanne (Scott) Hall, John (Whitney) Penny, Kristen (Kyle) Jeffers, and Kaitlin (Andrew) Yaroma; ten great-grandchildren John, Katie, MaryJane, and Christopher Hall, Jack and Will Penny, Aiden Wheeler, Wynn and Knox Jeffers, and Jett Yaroma; brother Ray (Christine) Nika; sister-in-law Pauline Kielbasa; and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband John, son-in-law Paul, brother Al, mother Mary, father Peter, step father Joseph Nika, and young sister Mary. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the community of caregivers and friends that supported Florence with love, understanding, and humor over the past several years.

Services will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 6455 Brook Park Drive in Colorado Springs, Thursday, Oct 26, 2023, at 10:00am. A celebration of life luncheon will follow. Inurnment will be at Fort Logan Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to a charity of your choice.