Sally A. Zanoni

(nee Johnson) Age 84, of Milwaukee, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 11, 2019, surrounded by her family. She was born in 1934 in Norway, Michigan, daughter of the late Einar and Ida ‘Bernice’ (Gustafson) Johnson. She married Robert Zanoni on June 22, 1957. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Milwaukee and started their family. Daughter, Sister, Wife, Aunt, Godmother, Friend, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Mother-in-law, Sister-in-law, Mom… these are just some of the roles/titles Sally held in her life. She took her roles seriously and did an incredible job of caring for everyone. Loving and caring for her husband, six children, 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren brought her immense joy. It was her life’s passion. She found great pleasure in each and every one of her children and had a special place in her heart for all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren which you knew by the sparkle in her eyes every time she was with them. She eagerly extended that joy and love as she welcomed her children’s spouses, neighborhood children, friends of her children, and a few furry pets of her children into her heart with the same love and care she gave to her immediate family. Anyone that entered her home was requested to eat and it brought her a great deal of satisfaction to prepare a meal for each and every one of them at any time of the day or night. Her homemade ravioli became a staple entree for Christmas dinner and a tradition she passed on to her children and grandchildren. She spent many days observing her children and grandchildren as they participated in a wide range of activities. Music concerts, volleyball, softball, basketball, baseball, and football were just a few of those activities. The ice rink, however, is where she spent many years watching her sons Gary and Dean play hockey. It was through hockey that she met many lifelong friends that enriched her life. She was also an active participant in a variety of activities with her children and grandchildren. Whether it was playing board games, reading books, watching Disney movies, or playing goalie in the hallway, she was always a willing participant. In her later years, when she had more free time, she thoroughly enjoyed reading novels of all genres and occasionally visiting casinos with family and friends. She was preceded in death by four brothers: Robert, Larry and infant twin brothers Teddy and Terry; four sisters: Rita Anderson, Lois Whitford, Nancy Curiel and Joan Flink; in-laws Enrica and Innocente Zanoni; brothers-in-law -Frank Curiel, Roger Anderson, Bert Whitford, Chuck Flink, Henry Zanoni, and Victor Zanoni; sisters-in-law: Verna Johnson, Angie Zanoni and Chris Zanoni; niece, Rosemary, and son-in-law to be, Greg Dzievit. She is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, Robert Zanoni; three daughters: Deborah Zanoni (Jim Pullen) of Elk Mound, WI, Cynthia (Kurt ) Knoebel of Franklin, WI, and Laura Zanoni of Greenfield, WI; three sons: Mark (Linnmarie) Zanoni of South Milwaukee, WI, Gary Zanoni of Milwaukee, WI, and Dean (Julie) Zanoni of Milwaukee, WI; grandchildren: Robert, Lindsey, Andrew, Kelly, Amanda, Hannah, Hayden, Harrison, Hunter, Aaliyah, and Jessie; four great grandchildren: Brooklyn, Brock, Mason, and Payton; sister, Susie (David) Oberthaler; sister-in-law, Marybelle Johnson; brother-in-law, Herman Zanoni; goddaughter, Lisa Uherick and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Youth Hockey Helpers Foundation (P.O. Box 210062, Milwaukee, WI 53221) are appreciated. Visitation at ST. ROMAN CHURCH (1810 W. Bolivar Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53221) Saturday, January 19 from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM with a Celebration of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM. Entombment St. Adalbert Cemetery.