Josephine M. Zima OBITUARY

Josephine Mary Zima, 85 of Bensenville, passed away suddenly on Sunday, June 9, 2024. She was born on May 2, 1939 in Chicago to Joseph and Anne (Slowik) Annoreno, sister to younger brother Deacon August J. “Sonny” (Barbara) Annoreno. She spent her young years in Chicago surrounded by her family, including many loving cousins, and graduated from Holy Family Academy High School. Jo and her dear high school friend Deanna Tyrpak worked together at City Products and it was at a Tyrpak family party where she met their cousin Stanley J. “Junior” Zima. It was truly love at first sight and although Jo’s dad wasn’t able to walk her down the aisle on October 6, 1962, he greatly approved of Stan after their first handshake because he didn’t shake hands like a fish. Jo was thrilled to begin their family together and gladly embraced her new role as a stay-at-home mom. All four of their children were born in Chicago and then Jo and family moved to Bensenville in 1972. Jo quickly became involved in volunteering in all her children’s activities and forged lifelong friendships with both her Bensenville neighbors and later on, with her colleagues in the Bensenville School District when she reentered the work force. Both Jo and Stan retired early and spent many hours with their much-awaited for and beloved grandchildren, as well as embarking on several amazing trips both abroad and closer to home. When she wasn’t enjoying her grandchildren or traveling, she spent her time with her passion, setting up her Dicken’s Christmas Village, gardening, crafting and indulging her life-long love of reading, even though her progressive vision loss profoundly affected her. Jo was dealt the severe blow of losing her husband in July of 2020 and missed her beloved Stan every day. She is survived by her devoted children daughters: Laura (Clay) Stueve and Jennifer (Richard) Lawrecki; and sons: Christopher (Karyn) Zima and Philip (Karen) Zima; and her six precious and treasured grandchildren who were the light of her life: granddaughters Alyssa (Michael) Jarzebski, Sydney Zima, and Makayla Zima; and grandsons: Austin Zima, J.D., Grant Stueve, and Jacob Zima; as well as her sister-in-law: Barbara Annoreno. She will also be dearly missed by other family members, friends and pets. She is preceded in death by husband Stanley, her brother Sonny and her parents. A visitation will be held at Geils Funeral Home, 180 S. York Rd, Bensenville, IL 60106 on Friday, June 14, 2024 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. A final viewing will be held at the funeral home the following day Saturday, June 15, 2024 from 8:30 to 9:30 AM followed by a funeral mass at 10:00 AM at St. Alexis Catholic Church, 400 W. Wood Ave, Bensenville, IL 60106. Interment will be immediately following the mass at St. Adalbert Cemetery 6800 N. Milwaukee Ave; Niles, IL 60714. Arrangements handled by Geils Funeral Home. For information, call: (630) 766-3232.