Agnes H. Zellin

Agnes H. Zellin, a beautiful woman at 94, passed away Thursday October 21, 2021 at 09:40 EDT.  All who were a part of her life cherished her smile and her magnetic ability to pass that smile on.  Getting to the age of 94 took her along a path of many obstacles in her health, however her strength and willingness to give of herself helped her overcome these obstacles and are testament to the woman she was.

Agnes was born on April 16, 1927, the daughter of Walter and Helen Kaczenski, and fond sister of her late brother Joseph.   Growing up in Brooklyn NY, she later married her late husband Walter Zellin.  She was mother to her eldest and late son Martin and is survived by her daughter Agnes, and son Frank.  The proud grandmother of her beautiful grandchildren Stacie, Alexander, Daniel, and Dakota, she was also the proud great-grandmother of the wonderful Montana and Prairie.

Work was no stranger to Agnes growing up, and she embraced it with her talent and magical hands working as a seamstress for many years. She turned out many of the clothes for her children, family and friends along with some beautiful wedding dresses that graced the aisles of friends and relatives.  One of her last handmade wonders was an intricate bubble quilt made from the very dresses she made for herself.

In 1949 Agnes, a beautiful creation of her immigrant family, married her knockout husband Walter, soon after the war, and enjoyed 40 years of life side by side as they built their dreams amongst the gifts and hardships raising 3 children in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and later enjoying country life in their home on a lake in New Jersey.  After Walter retired, they traveled the East Coast enjoying each other and the simplicity of two campers traveling, living out of the back of their pickup.  They both witnessed how happy they were to enjoy and be back in nature.  After Walter died in 1986, Agnes remained in New Jersey feeding her flock of ducks and geese, nurturing her flower beds and engaging in church activities, but was also fond of traveling to visit those she loved across the country.  Agnes continued to volunteer in a local school, finding great joy in devoting herself to children as foster grandmother, performing and singing in a local Thespian chapter, and in spending time close to her neighbors in the community.  Later in life, she relocated close to her daughter Agnes in Delmar N.Y.  where she again engaged in her church activities and the Bethlehem Senior Chorus, and comfortably lived the remainder of her life among friends and neighbors.  During her final years, Agnes lived in the care of very dedicated, loving caregivers at Teresian House, who cherished her smile and showed generosity until the very end.

“Honoring a loved one’s death is truly about honoring their life.  Despair over what may have been, but revel and reflect in what was.” - Amy Hoover

We suggest that those who wish to honor memories of Agnes wholeheartedly give kindness and love to someone in need.