Louise Zaleski

We announce with heavy hearts and profound sadness, the tragic passing of Louise Ann Zaleski (nee: Savanyo), in the early morning of November 9th, 2013.

Louise was born in Tiltonsville, Ohio, November 16th, 1926, to parents John and Caroline (Denes) Savanyo. She graduated as a Registered Nurse from Wheeling Hospital in West Virginia and completed a year long Post Graduate in Operating Room (O.R.) Nursing, at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. She worked as a Stewardess for TWA for a period after gaining her Nursing credentials, returning to work in the O.R. in Dayton Ohio, prior to coming to Canada with her husband, Joe, when he signed as quarterback with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, in 1952. They remained in Winnipeg throughout his career as player, Offensive Coach, and Head Coach with the Blue Bombers–semicolon– with the exception of a year with the Montreal Alouettes and 2 years with the Sarnia Golden Bears (O.R.F.U.). After arriving in Winnipeg, Louise initially worked as a Nursing Instructor in the O.R. at the Misericordia Hospital. She remained at home when they started their family, to raise their children and support Joe and the Football Team(s). In 1970, they moved their family to Edmonton, as Joe became an Offensive Coach with the Eskimos.

In 1973, after 20 years away, she took a refresher and returned to work in the O.R. at the Misericordia in Edmonton, where she remained for 25 years, until she retired. Louise had unbridled enthusiasm and enduring unconditional love for several things: her husband, her daughters and Son, her Grandchildren, Football, and being an O.R. Nurse. She was a great wife, mother, fan and nurse, but more, an even greater person. She was amazing, kind, compassionate, dedicated, fun, energetic, and spontaneous, with a good dose of stubbornness and resilience mixed in.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted husband of 61 years, Joe–semicolon– her Daughters, Nancy (Ron) Gregg, Susan Zaleski, Patti Thibert, and Judy (Gates Seguin)–semicolon– her cherished grandchildren, of whom she was so proud, Kevin (Kate), Cameron, Sean, and Daniel Gregg–semicolon– Kirstin, Steven, and Mike Fritze–semicolon– Jenn Thibert–semicolon– and Jon and Jessica Mucha.
She was predeceased by the ‘Light of her Life’, her only Son, Slater–semicolon– her parents, John and Caroline Savanyo–semicolon– her sisters, Anne Rico and Bette D’Andrea–semicolon– and her infant brothers, John and George.