Nellie Ann Zaborac

Palmer resident Nellie Ann Zaborac, 80, passed away Jan. 4, 2014, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

Nellie was born Feb. 21, 1933, in Gunnison, Colorado, to Herbert and Hope Steele. She graduated from Prosser Washington High School in 1951. She married the love of her life Stanley John Zaborac Jr. in Mexico in 1958. They moved to Palmer in 1959 where Nellie worked for the state of Alaska Division of Agriculture and raised their family. Nellie retired in 1981 and spent her time with her family, attending Mat-Su Miners games, operating the Senior Center Gift Shop and volunteering with the Mat-Su Miners. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, the Pioneers and the Elks.

Her family states, “She was one of the most caring, giving, kind hearted, generous individuals. She was always thinking of others before herself. She was called ‘mom’ by all her children’s friends. She donated most of her spare time volunteering.”

Nellie is survived by daughters, Roxeanna Zaborac and Mickie Irvine; son in law, James Irvine; granddaughter, Jayme Dehart (Steve Dehart); grandsons, Dillon Irvine and Jakob Zaborac (Erin Zaborac); great granddaughters, Zoey Zaborac, Elly and Emily Dehart and many friends that she loved dearly.

She was preceded by the death of her husband, Stanley Zaborac Jr.; and her only son, David Zaborac.

In lieu of flowers, Nellie asked that donations be made to the matsuminers.org, or palmerseniors.com.

Her celebration of life is at 1 p.m., July 13 at the Palmer Elks Lodge on Finger Lake, 2600 N. Barry’s Resort Dr.