Jean L. Zanin

Jean Lambert Zanin, beloved wife, mother, sister and friend to many, died peacefully the afternoon of May 21, 2015.  Jean was born Katherine Jeanette Lambert in Winona, Minnesota, August 30, 1928.  She spent most of her youth in Winona, and graduated from Winona Senior High School in 1946.  After graduation she moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and worked as a secretary.  At a dance there in 1949 she met a tall, rail thin engineering student from Pennsylvania, Sam Zanin, who she married in 1952.  In early 1957, just after the birth of her first son, Bruce, Sam asked if she would like to move to California, where he had been offered a job.  Jean answered, "When do we leave?"

So, in 1957 Jean and her small family moved first to Pacific Beach, then Clairemont, and finally to their house in Serra Mesa where she lived the rest of her life.  In 1960, son Ben joined the family. Jean loved the San Diego weather,;she spent as much time outside - walking, biking, gardening - as possible.  She was an active parishioner at St. Columba Roman Catholic Church, volunteering at the school and participating in many church groups.  She worked as a secretary for many years.  Jean also volunteered for over 20 years at Scripps Mercy Hospital.  In 2013 Scripps Mercy awarded her Volunteer of the Year in recognition of her care and devotion to the patients there.  Jean will be remembered for her joy of life, personal care for family and friends, and her many kindnesses given to others throughout her life.

Jean leaves her husband of 62+ years, Sam; her sister, Jo Johnson, of Winona; son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Marybeth Zanin, of San Diego; son and daughter-in-law, Bruce Zanin and Rebecca Balogh, currently posted to Beijing, China; grandson, F. Benjamin Balogh-Zanin of Virginia; granddaughter, Aurora Balogh-Zanin; and numerous nieces and nephews across the country.

The funeral Mass for Jean will be offered at St. Columba, 3327 Glencolum Dr., San Diego, CA 92123, at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 4, 2015. Her final resting place will be at Miramar National Cemetery.

The family recommends that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Jean’s name to either of the following organizations:


Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego
349 Cedar Street
; San Diego, CA 92101
http://www.ccdsd.org/donate/secure-online-donations/


San Diego Audubon Society
4010 Morena Blvd, Suite #100; San Diego, CA 92117
https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/SanDiegoAudubonSociety/giving.html