Ann Zale

Ann Zale passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on January 22, 2016, she was 89 years old. Ann was born on September 26, 1926 to the late Andrew Spirka and late Janka Labuda Spirka in the hamlet of Stara Velka, Czechoslovakia. She was one of two children. She immigrated to the United States on April 19, 1934 at the age of seven. The family settled in lower Manhattan. Ann attended Seward Park High School in Manhattan and, despite not knowing any English when she arrived in this country, graduated with honors. After high school she went to work for J.P. Carey, Inc. She married the late Alexander Zale on November 23, 1957 at St. James Roman Catholic Church in Manhattan. The couple settled in Yonkers, NY where she worked for various firms throughout Westchester as a bookkeeper. She was a parishioner of St. John Baptist Church in Yonkers, NY from 1963-1998. An active member of the Rosary Alter Society, she held several offices, including head of the scholarship committee for ten years, Publicity Officer and Treasurer. In 1984, she received a Papal Blessing from Pope John Paul II in recognition of her work for the parish. Ann was a Literacy Volunteer in Yonkers and a volunteer bookkeeper at Burke Rehabilitation in White Plains, NY for the Volunteer Office from 1994-1998. She loved to swim and would go swimming during her lunch breaks. In 1998 she moved to Heritage Hills in Somers, NY and quickly became active in St. Joseph’s parish where she was a Eucharistic Minister. She was a SeniorNet volunteer computer coach and became an avid bocci player, competing in many tournaments at Heritage Hills. She was best known for her baking. At Christmas time everybody knew they would soon be getting a plate from her featuring her famous rainbow and pignoli cookies. When somebody was sick or experiencing a crisis, she would be the first to deliver a fresh-baked cake or a home-cooked meal. Ann is survived by three sons, Alan Zale, and his wife Joan, of Hartsdale, NY, Alexander Zale, and his wife Michelle, of Harrington Park, NJ and Arthur Zale of Somers, NY. She has one
grandson Alexander Zale of Harrington Park, NJ. There are also nieces and nephews. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Church in Somers, NY. Interment to follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Hastings on Hudson, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to St. Joseph’s Church, 95 Plum Brook Rd., Somers, NY 10589.

*Visitation will be held on Tuesday January 26th from 2-4pm & 6:30-8:30pm. Please see further details below*