Shirley Anne Zemenick

     Shirley Anne Zemenick, age 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease on Thursday, October 30, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was born on February 5, 1945 in St. Louis, Missouri, to Jack and Evelyn Swanson. Shirley was married 51 years to her loving husband Richard Zemenick, whom she married on November 23, 1968. While she started her career as a second-grade teacher, it was her devotion to her children and grandchildren that is her true legacy. She walked away from teaching to stay at home and raise her daughters Kelli and Lynn, volunteering as Girl Scout cookie mom; passing on her passion for reading with regular trips to the library; participating in vacation Bible school; cheering at every tennis match; being available on the hard days; baking her famous Red Velvet cake when the family was celebrating wins; and using her crafting skills for everything from sewing Easter dresses to crocheting blankets to cross-stitching everyone’s Christmas stockings to creating a complete Nativity out of pottery. She raced to Ohio and Michigan for the births of her grandchildren Mady, Jack, Connor, Emma, Will, and Nick, and she stayed to offer real support. During Florida family visits to her and Rich, she always had time to swim, play games, do puzzles, and most of all read to her grandchildren. No matter what damage her disease caused, she lit up when she heard the name or saw a picture or video of one of her grandchildren or great grandchildren. She always delighted in them. The light behind all of this was her faith in Jesus Christ. Persevering through a struggle a few months ago, she found the key, and passed it along saying, “I just said, ‘God is always good!’” Left to honor and remember Shirley are: daughters, Kelli (Bill) Dungan of Michigan and Lynn (Rob) Shank of Cincinnati; six grandchildren, Mady (Luke) Steimle, Jack Dungan, Connor Dungan, Emma Shank, Will Dungan, and Nick Shank; two great grandchildren, Lydia and Isaac Steimle; sisters, Jane Warren and Pat (Butch) Auer; brother-in-law, Bill Grattendick; sister-in-law, Mary Chesley; brother-in-law, Jim (Marge) Zemenick; nieces and nephews, David, Susan, Kenneth, Carrie, Elizabeth, Becky, Kathryn, Anne, Jess, and Meghan. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Rich; parents; sister Nancy; nephew Andrew; and brother-in-law Mike. Her family takes comfort in the fact Shirley’s healing is complete, and more significantly, she is experiencing the overwhelming joy of living in God’s glory.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at Axis Church, 4503 State Route 42, Mason, Ohio 45040 on Saturday, November 8th, at noon with Memorial Services to follow at 1:00 pm. A Celebration of Life for Shirley and Rich in St. Louis, Missouri will be forthcoming. Shirley and Rich always felt called to help those in need and consistently, selflessly lent their time, talents, and treasures to any neighbor, local church, nonprofit, friend, or family member in need. It is in that spirit that we humbly offer that, in lieu of flowers, you may choose to send remembrances to the Richard E. Zemenick Memorial Scholarship, by Venmo, @REZMemorialScholarship; by Zelle; or care of Kelli Dungan.

Online condolences can be made at www.paulyoungfuneralhome.com . Paul R. Young Funeral Home (Mt. Healthy) assisting the family 

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