Obituary of Wilma Zudnak

Wilma Zudnak, age 97, of Lawrenceville, NJ, passed away of natural causes on Friday in her home where she had lived for 60 years. Born in Trenton, NJ on March 21, 1917, Wilma was raised in Trenton and then was a resident of Lawrenceville for most of her life. Wilma, an accomplished pianist, worked and lovingly volunteered as an accompanist for various schools and organizations in the Trenton area from 1932 until the mid-1990s. Wilma and her husband were devoted supporters of the Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra for 50 years; enjoyed attending the Metropolitan Opera in NYC; were social members of Trenton Country Club and golf members at Hopewell Valley Golf Club. Wilma was a proud member of the Contemporary Club in Trenton and enjoyed traveling and dining out with family and friends. In her later years, she enjoyed receiving post cards from friends who traveled and displayed an extensive collection from around the country and the world. Wilma also volunteered for Meals on Wheels in Lawrenceville and was a volunteer at Helene Fuld Medical Center in Trenton. She was a member of the Church of Saint Ann of Lawrenceville since 1954. Wilma and her late husband Steve, began the “Rosary Group”, a group of 7 families who gathered each month for 13 years and prayed the rosary as a tribute to their next generation of family members. She was the last surviving member of that group. Wilma was the wife of Stephen J. Zudnak, Sr., owner and founder of General Porcelain Manufacturing Company. They met at Trenton Central High School, shared a love of music, and they married on October 7, 1938. Steve passed away in 1985. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Zudnak Smith of Lawrenceville, NJ; her son, Stephen J. Zudnak, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Ginny, of Middletown, DE.; her granddaughter, Valerie A. Smith of Lawrenceville, NJ; and her grandson, Stephen R. Smith and her great-granddaughter, Vida Presley Smith, of Brigantine, NJ. She is also survived by her niece, Barbara Pisanko of Kenosha, WI; her nephews Henry Pisanko and Michael Pisanko of Chicago, IL; and her cousin Peggy Blauth of Neptune, NJ. We are so lucky and blessed to have had Wilma, a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, in our lives for 97 years. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Wilma on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 11:30 AM at the Church of St. Ann, 1253 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ. Burial will follow in St. Hedwig Cemetery, Ewing. Relatives and friends may call on Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 AM in the daily chapel at the Church of St. Ann. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a meaningful charity of your choice in her memory.