Link to Livestream for Debbie's Funeral Mass

Deborah (Debbie) Zielinski, age 68, passed away on Sunday, April 19th, with family by her side.

Debbie was born on August 29th, 1957 to Stanley and Sophie (Wrotny) Zielinski.  She was seventh in a family of eight children.

She was a member of the National Honor Society, graduating from Brunswick High School in 1975.  Shortly thereafter, she began her career as a proud postal carrier for the Brunswick post office.  Her primary route was the Eagle Oaks subdivision where she provided outstanding service to her customers, prior to retiring in 2012.

Debbie loved family trips to Siesta Key, Florida and enjoyed several cruises throughout the years.  She was an avid card player and hosted poker night for friends for many years.  She enjoyed watching the Guardians games and never gave up hope that the Browns would make it to the Super Bowl. She loved her pets, especially her Terripoo, Peanut.

We have wonderful memories of time spent in her backyard swimming pool and sharing great cookouts together.  She was a good cook and enjoyed putting together large family holiday gatherings.  Gauging how long it would take to cook a turkey was a challenge for her, but when the pop-up turkey timer did it's thing, the family was ready for the holiday feast, even if it meant racing over to her house an hour early, or waiting it out in the family room.

She was a happy person, who was very kind and fun. She was blessed to have a large circle of good friends, who were like family to her.

Debbie was a baby whisperer and proud auntie, great-auntie and great-great auntie, who played a key role in the life of many of her nieces and nephews. She was blessed to be chosen as godmother to Scott Zielinski, Gina Betti and Jacob Skonier.

She is survived by six siblings: Rose (Theodore Minc, Michael Sweeney), Barbara, Frank (Kathy Koperna), Bonnie (Jack Chalfa), Susie (Ronald Cumberland) and Chris (Carolyn Koverman), along with many nieces and nephews.  Her brother Robert, (Rose Szymanski), proceeded her in death.

She was strong in faith and a long-time member of the St. Ambrose Catholic Parish, in Brunswick, Ohio. She enjoyed being a member of the church choir for sixteen years.

She will be missed by all who knew her and remembered for her legacy of love, laughter and kindness.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 pm, Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Waite Funeral Home, 3300 Center Rd., Brunswick.

Visitation will also be held from 10-11 am, Monday, April 27, 2026, at St. Ambrose Parish, 929 Pearl Rd., Brunswick, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Valley City.