Margaret "Peg" Zainea

Peg Zainea was an extremely supportive and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She lived her life fully by graciously extending herself to others. A wonderful hostess and natural nurturer, no one was ever made to feel a stranger in her presence. Peg leaves behind a wonderful collection of rich memories that will fondly be remembered by all who knew and loved her.

So much of our nation’s history was characterized by the year 1941. Jacob and Margaret (Huyge) Kroon welcomed home their newborn daughter, Margaret Boukje, on September 28th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Born the second of seven children, her birth brought her parents great joy and promise during an era of great change.

Being the oldest daughter meant she had quite a bit of responsibility at a young age. Peg often made school lunches for her siblings and worked as a cashier at the family grocery store in town. Her parents raised her with a strong foundation of faith at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church where she also attended school. Later, she went to Grand Rapids Catholic Central. After high school, she enrolled at Aquinas College to pursue her dreams of becoming a teacher. A natural caregiver, Peg also cared for her grandmother while going to school.

Her first teaching job was in Detroit before she was able to transfer to Madison Park Elementary in Grand Rapids. She thrived as an early educator shaping students’ formative years as they started their journeys in education. During her time at Madison, she met Samuel Zainea, who was working as a Physical Education teacher. They joined in marriage on June 13, 1970, and celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary this year. The newlyweds enjoyed a day exploring Traverse City for their honeymoon. The rest of that summer they worked at the YMCA boys camp on Torch Lake.

Sam and Peg settled back in Grand Rapids in their first home at 155 Garfield on the northwest side where they started their family. Later, they moved with their three daughters to their family home on Dorroll NE. Peg was dedicated to her family. Their kitchen table was always loaded with learning materials including crafts and school assignments. Peg kept their calendar full of activities and maintained organization to ensure they never missed an important event or special occasion. Her active lifestyle extended beyond the family home to their church and the Catholic Daughters when her girls were involved. Peg was always busy making dance costumes, knitting, and sewing. Despite their busy lifestyle, they never skipped a meal together. Though cooking was a shared responsibility, the family remembers her pumpkin pie, zucchini bread, chocolate chip cookies, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, and her special Texas Sheet Cake. Every summer, the family traveled extensively throughout the United States. Many of the trips included educational experiences or learning the history of an area. They also enjoyed time through the years at their cottages in Northport and Elk Rapids. Peg loved the outdoors. She spent countless hours gardening or watching the birds. She raised her children to always look for the good in others and to be a strong example and positive influence in the lives of those around them.

In addition to her career as a teacher and her role as a mother, Peg enjoyed many special hobbies. She was an avid reader and never went without celebrating a family member’s birthday or anniversary with a handwritten card with words of encouragement. She and Sam had several dogs over the years. She adored her dogs and treated them as special members of the family. When Peg and Sam both retired, they were happy to help care for their grandchildren. They enjoyed taking them to and from school and attending their various activities. Peg was always cheering them on and celebrating their every success. She wanted nothing more than to share in their accomplishments and happiness.

Sadly, she developed Alzheimer’s which clouded her memory and took a toll on her health. Peg was tenderly cared for in the comfort of her home by Sam and her three loving daughters. Spiritual, generous, and an excellent role model, Peg lived her life as a loving example of her faith. There is no doubt that her nurturing ways will be deeply missed by her many special friends and family.

Margaret “Peg” Zainea, age 82 of Grand Rapids, passed away July 31, 2024. She is survived by her husband, Samuel; their children Margaret “Peg” & Tony Baker, Kathryn “Karrie” & John Fordney, Elizabeth “Liz” & Jim Deimel; grandchildren Samuel, Sophia, Joseph, Abraham, Sebastian, Margaret and Gabriel; brothers Arthur & Mary Amelia Kroon, John & Amy Kroon, Mike Kroon, Martin Kroon; sister: Mary Ellen & Edward Simpson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. Peg was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob & Margaret Kroon; her brother Jack (Margaret) Kroon.

Peg taught early elementary at Grand Rapids Public Schools for 36 years. She began her career at Madison Park Elementary continuing on to create many fond memories at Henry, several years at Aberdeen and North Park, and retiring from Harrison Park Elementary. Her dedication impacted countless students’ lives through the years. Teaching children was her career and passion, and only retired from teaching to care for her grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 5, 2024 at 11 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church where friends are invited to visit with her family beginning at 10 AM. For those who wish, memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are appreciated. To read more about Peg, to share a memory or photo, or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com