Sara Ann Zielinski, of Rockford departed this world on September 20th, 2026, after a battle with heart failure combined with atrial fibrillation at the age of 89. Sara was born on November 12th, 1936, in Toledo, Ohio. Sara was a kind and loving soul that wanted to help whomever and wherever she could.

Sara spent her professional life as a bookkeeper for Churchill’s groceries before moving on to be the bookkeeper for Lucas County Ohio. Sara retired in 1992 and moved to Tennessee with her husband Paul.

While living in Tennessee, Sara enjoyed fishing on the Tennessee river with her husband Paul. They usually started the week out on Sunday morning catching fish. Early on in their time in Tennessee, they fished in January as the cold did not bother them since they moved from Ohio down. Sara also enjoyed golfing. Living just down the street from Egwani Farms, this was a blessing. Sara and Paul went golfing in the early portion of their retirement.

Sara was a very accomplished bowler having been enshrined into the Toledo Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1986. Her enshrinement was shared with her mother, Alice, on the same day. Sara was enshrined for her performance while her mother was enshrined for her administrative work with several leagues and organizations. Sara liked to travel in her retirement with her husband, Paul, having traveled to Ireland, Mexico, the Bahamas and several islands in the Caribbean Sea. Sara and Paul also traveled around the country driving out to the west coast and back.

Sara was also a spectacular card player. She obtained the rank of Life Master in Bridge. Sara was always playing bridge several times a week and participated in several tournaments that were held in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Sara is preceded in death by her parents Timothy James and Alice Sarah Morrissey and her siblings Timothy James Morrissey Jr. and Jean Gust. Survivors include her husband Paul Zielinski, son Kenneth Wilson, grandchildren Samantha Keesbury, Evelynne Wilson and Steven Wilson.

There will not be a showing or visitation as Sara preferred for people to celebrate their lives and tell stories of all the wonderful times they shared with her. In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations in Sara’s name to your local humane society. If you can designate, Sara was a dog person but loved cats as well. Condolences may be shared at Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, 865-983-1000, or online at www.smithfuneralandcremation.com.