Gloria (Kolonoski) Zielinskie

Aristes – Gloria Zielinskie, 89, of 3764 Aristes Highway, passed away Sunday, December 8, 2024 at her home.

Born in Shamokin on March 2, 1935 to the late Samuel and Violet Kolonoski. Gloria was a 1953 graduate of Shamokin High School.

On Jan. 21, 1956, in St. Edward's Church, she married the late Francis “Punch” Zielinskie. Gloria and “Punch” worked well together. They owned and operated Glo Zel's Art Store, in Shamokin, for more than 20 years. To worship, Gloria would attend Mass at Our Lady of Hope Church on Sundays.

Celebrating the Life of Gloria Zielinskie

Today, we say goodbye to a light in our lives. Gloria, the heart and soul of our family, passed away peacefully on December 8th 2024, with her family by her side. She joins her beloved husband, Francis, with whom she shared a life of love, laughter, and creativity.

For over 15 years, Gloria brought joy and inspiration to the community through her art store, where she sold art supplies, held classes for all ages, and created her own masterpieces. Together with Francis, who ran the custom framing side of their business, they built a haven for artists and dreamers alike. Even after retiring, she continued to teach art, sharing her talents and passion with anyone eager to learn.

Her creativity extended beyond the canvas into the kitchen. A master of holiday meals and a baker extraordinaire, she filled her home with the warm aromas of her legendary rice pudding and enough desserts to satisfy a small army. Her grandchildren and many relatives still replicate her dishes today.

Gloria wasn’t just a wonderful human—she was our family's rock, our teacher, our guiding star. She showed us how to embrace life with open arms, how to find beauty in simple things, and how to love deeply and unconditionally.

We miss her already, but we take comfort in knowing she is at peace, reunited with Francis. Her legacy lives on in the art we create, the meals we share, and the love we pass forward.

Gloria is survived by a son, David Zielinskie and his wife, Ann Marie, of Irish Valley; a daughter, Lee Ann Pottoroff, of Coal Township; a grandson, Michael Zielinskie; three granddaughters, Sashell Pottorff and her fiancé, Ryan Price, Danielle Yoncuski, Samantha Zielinskie; two great-grandsons, Hudson Bartholomew and Rowan Price; a great granddaughter, Olivia Schmidt; a brother, Thomas Kolonoski; a sister, Marie Schivetts; a brother-in-law, Joseph Zielinskie; a sister-in-law, Margie Buriak and Michael; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her husband and parents, Gloria was preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alphonse and Margaret (Omlar) Zielinskie; a granddaughter, Leimomi Pottorff; two sisters, Sylvia Lamar, and Marcella Wall and her husband, Leonard; a brother, Jack Bershinski; two sisters-in-law, Kris Kolonoski, and Sandy Zielinskie; and a brother-in-law, Andy Schivetts.

FUNERAL NOTICE

Gloria Zielinskie, 89, of 3764 Aristes Highway - A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 am on January 21st, their wedding anniversary, at Farrow-Campbell Funeral & Cremation Service, 240 W Chestnut Street, Shamokin, PA, Lori Ann Campbell, Supervisor. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you honor her memory by supporting local artists or creating something beautiful of your own. To send condolences to the family, go to www.farrowfh.com.