Nancy Zembruski, (1944 - 2018) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

Let the memory of Nancy be with us forever

74 years old
Born on May 25, 1944 in San Francisco, California, United States
Passed away on July 8, 2018 in Lecanto, Florida, United States

This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Nancy Zembruski, 74 years old, born on May 25, 1944 and passed away on July 8, 2018. We will remember her forever.

SERVICES: being held on August 11, 2018 (Saturday) at 11:00am.

LOCATION: Central Baptist Church (click on link for Google Maps/Location) Central Baptist Church @ 16 Elm Street, Westerly, RI 02891

Nancy's OBITUARY in the Westerly Sun: Please Click Here

CONTACT or QUESTIONS: Nancy's sons Matt and Adam helped develop this site. If you have any questions about the site, please feel free to contact one of us here:

Matt's Email: mzembruski@gmail.com

Adam's Email: adam.zembruski@gmail.com

*Click on the Volume Button on top of the screen to turn on music and you'll hear some of Nancy's favorite songs!!

Tributes

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July 8, 2023

Hey my mama, just talked to Dad, and we talked about the last 5 years, and I can't stop thinking about the John Lennon song Instant Karma, and we all shine on!..... and then I come here to your tribute site and that song just came on! It's too much, I just know you're here with me and there's something about music that I think allows you to speak to me somehow. I'm going to listen to your soundtrack tonight as I fall asleep, maybe you're in town and stop by and see me in my dreams. Please do. I miss you. Just say one word and I'll write it down when I wake up, so you know I heard it. I could write about 10 pages with the amount of beauty and joy in our lives... Matt and I talk about you all the time and it's overwhelming how much love you gave us, and it overflows to others in our lives - it's too much, endless. Matt and I are still doing our live event series online, you would LOVE it!! I know you're watching, but don't tell me that in my dreams because I'll get nervous and tell a bunch of 15 minute jokes and everyone will stop listening . Beth and I are so happy... Gabe and Eva... it's all too much, we are so close and loving each other and helping each other. Eva's a big girl on campus soon in 8th grade and Gabe's gonna be sophomore... Wahaaaat? Yeh, it's true and guess what... Gabe got an interview with Publix... and then got a 2nd interview, then got the job! He's been doing so well there, takes it really seriously and is working hard. Eva is going another year with all As in classes and she's taking French for a second year this year! I told her all about your French cooking secrets... Butter and more Butter! Hehehee. Writing these notes are like therapy for me and guess what song just cake on Beatles, All You Need is Love... what are you doing!? You're a magic woman. I owe you a joke tonight so I'm going to talk to your picture and tell you a dirty Norm Macdonald joke tonight.... it's really sick, you'll love it. See you tonight, love you...

July 8, 2023

nancy,
five years? you have been deep in my heart for each day.
still missing and loving you so so so very much.

May 25, 2023

Mom - yesterday I wouldn't have been able to type much, it was one of the those days, but then today I spent time with Matt and we worked together on a project that would make you so proud. We had a live event online, and it's the first of 10 episodes and our first one was today on your birthday! The topic is honoring hospitality industry change makers and mentors and we spoke of you, wished you a happy birthday and so many people gave you happy birthdays! One of my new new friends made a comment online saying to wish that beautiful queen a happy birthday for her. I almost cried reading it live! Your beauty lives in all of us. Beth, Gabe, Eva - you're here with with, we can feel it. Sometimes I know you're looking out for me and I love telling you jokes when I'm alone downstairs talking to your photo. I know you can hear me and I can hear your voice laughing - you were always the best audience! Nothing brought me more joy than making you laugh and I'm so glad to keep doing it. I love, love, love you and I'm gonna go tell you a joke about Bob Seger. You'll love it.

May 25, 2023

nancy, you still visit me in my dreams. sometimes i'm trying to call you but my phone is wonky. or you are already there. we're at lou's, trying to tidy up huge piles of stuff. wherever you appear in my dreams, it's always joyful because i love you so much and you are still here, if only in my dreams. xoxoxoxoxox

May 25, 2023

Happy Birthday, Mom! Thank you for being the best Mom in the world and for all the unconditional love you continue to share with our family and friends every day. I feel so blessed and lucky and grateful to have been given the gift of being one of your sons in this life. There is so much more to say and share that has happened in recent years, but I know you already know it all because we connect every day and you see it all unfold as I do. Whether it is a beautiful new sunrise, a loving smile or an uncontrollable belly laugh, you are with me everywhere I go. Thank you for being YOU and for fully and unconditionally loving every one who was fortunate enough to have crossed your path. I love you and I live for you! Love, Matt

July 8, 2022

hello, my sister. missing you has become part of my makeup, a hole in my soul that will never be filled. i really wish you were here.

May 27, 2022

Mom, I got your message on your birthday. Come on Eileen, perfect timing and the perfect location. Keep sending me messages... I'll keep being open to receiving them. The pain has turned into memories that I didn't know were there... and the sadness experienced when I want to call you,but can't, has turned into other feelings I'm not sure have a name... I'm working on it. Eva and Gabe... they're getting so much love and guidance and attention from Beth and me... and all that you taught me about growing up confident and encouraged to follow my heart, while receiving an overwhelming amount of love, and then giving it away. You provided enough for 20 lifetimes. I can still hear your voice, I never want to forget it so please keep talking to me. Love you...per ardua ad astra.
Your Adam

May 25, 2022

nancy, you've been my silent advisor this last year. it's been a doozy and i'm glad you haven't had to live through it all.
still, i miss you with all my heart.
grief is just love with no place to go.
that is the truth.
i love you so damned much, my dear soul sister.

July 10, 2021

you are my strength.

July 8, 2021

Mom, thanks for joining me in making coffee this morning. Sorry to talk your ear off but I was all excited to tell you about some cool stuff going on. Thanks for answering that question for me, it had been bugging me, you made it so clear.

Beth and I were talking about you the other during dinner with your loves Gabe and Eva, and Gabe said that Beth reminds him of you. He said to Beth, "you and Gramma were like best friends weren't you"? Beth and I just smiled, held back a tear and said, yeh... it was just like that.

I'm listening to San Francisco by Brett Dennon right now, and am lighting every candle I have nearby. Maybe I'll have some McDonald's french fries later, and have some ice cream, in honor of your memory, of course.

The joy, the laughter, the love you gave to me.... everything, is still so strong inside and it's enough for me, Beth, Gabe And Eva to have for 20 lifetimes and generations.

So.... you know what I'm trying to say.... I told you earlier. Gonna keep that between us. See you later in my dreams.
Your Adam

May 25, 2021

Happy Birthday, Mom! I had a really good cry today looking at this site for just one song. One song is usually all I can handle. And if I skip my daily workout, one song on this site with your beautiful pictures and all the heartfelt memories scattered over the years is usually more than enough for me to lose a workout's worth of sw-sw-sweat via my tear ducts. Some of the tears are sad ones because I miss you more than I ever thought it was possible to miss anyone in this Universe. But most of the tears are happy tears because you are my role model for unconditional love and for using its magic to transform and uplift the lives of others. I think about you all the time and you inspire me to be my best self each and every day. Michael and I played 9 holes of golf in our town this afternoon and I thought of you during the round. I told Michael that I knew what you wanted for your birthday this year. When I meditated this morning, I felt you say that "family moments" were at the top of your wish list. I felt your presence watching me and Michael play golf and we had the best time -- enjoying a bunch of cool family moments to remember always. Oh, one more thing....thank you for having breakfast with Mother Nature this morning and using your sweet charm to persuade her to make today the most beautiful sunny and "low humie" day New England has seen in a long time. Thank you for being the best Mom in the world and for making me and Adam the luckiest two boys ever. You are forever our angel.
I love you!
Your Matt

May 25, 2021

hello to my bestest friend and sister. to say i miss you is never enough. there's never been anyone like you. irreplaceable. i wonder what you would think of the latest 'call the midwife', or if you would be interested in the newest books i've read. i 'talk' to you every night as i fall asleep. if i'm lucky, you'll visit in my dreams. you are deep in my heart and i'm so very grateful that you are my sister. xoxo

May 25, 2021

Happy Birthday to my forever beautiful Mom. You're always 30 years old in my eyes, which is how old you were when I was born. Please come visit me in my dreams tonight, I want to tell you about something funny that happened today. You won't find out unless you visit, and I know how much you love suspense, so see you soon! I Love you so much. Your AdMan

February 14, 2021

Hi my beautiful Mama. It's Valentine's Day, 2021. I can feel your love. I closed my eyes and imagined opening one of your Valentine's Day Cards and gifts. Full of glitter, and beads and probably whatever red or heart shaped things you could find. I miss those. Red being your favorite color, it's everywhere in my mind and every day. I'm wearing some weird funny looking socks today, they're red, for you. Kind of my funny way to say I'm thinking about you. Our secret.

I really wish I could call you. Talk to you. I'm going to listen to some of our songs tonight, light some candles, maybe you can come visit me in my dreams. I love you and miss you.
Always your Adam

July 8, 2020

my soul sister, my loving friend, I think of you every day.

May 25, 2020

I cannot stop missing you.

May 24, 2020

Hi Mom,
Today's May 24th, Red Nose Day. We took pictures with our red noses on, we know how much you enjoyed supporting the special day to help kids get out of poverty and stay healthy and strong. It's Bob Dylan's birthday today too so I played Positively 4th Street, and laughed at our secret favorite lyric. (wink, wink).
It's your birthday tomorrow and it's only your 2nd birthday since you passed. We think about you like 50 times a day and celebrate your life and memories constantly. Your birthday is just another reason to look at some pictures together and laugh, cry and tell some stories. Dad's happy, we miss him, wish we were in Florida with him but aren't too far. He (and we) celebrated your anniversary, "I love you" day and your engagement day.
You'll laugh, I'm actually going to keep working to organize our garage tomorrow - not specifically for your birthday but I figured let's make it about you! I can hear you telling me not to go overboard with it, like I sometimes do . I won't, I promise. Gabe and Eva have been helping and Beth makes sure I don't knock down any walls (yet!). We're all really happy. We bought the house and there's a whole story about the previous owners and positive spirits here so we know you're here with us, helping us smile everyday. Eva has really been interested in photography. A couple hotel partners and I are in need of new profile pictures for the website. So, I'm going to hire Eva for my profile pictures. It'll be her first official job as a professional photographer. She's going to make sure I look good and the lighting is right. She's so excited and I know how excited you'd be to hear about that. I wish you were here to see us all hanging out. We love you and miss you. Beth and I together channel your love here and there's so much of it, we have you and Dad to thank for so much and especially all the love. Happy birthday my Momma.

December 29, 2019

my dearest sister, friend, I miss you more than words can say, each day I miss you. I pray to you each night. the pain of your passing hasn't lessened. I love you with all my heart and with great sadness that I couldn't stop that cancer.

December 27, 2019

Mom, I had a nice moment with you on Christmas. I took the photo of you that we keep at the front entrance, walked around the house and showed you all the decorations and presents that were just opened. I asked you if you liked the decorations and told you how Beth and the kids loved putting them up. Then I took full credit and you said, Oh Adam. Hehee. I laughed and you suggested that we make up our own holiday in a month that needs it and invent new decorations just for that made up "no reason" holiday. Maybe we'll do that, and call is Naussie Day - which is the word you used to describe getting nostalgic. It'll be a day that we spend all day crying and thinking of times past. Okay, maybe that's a bad idea. We'll think of another name.
Also, forgot to tell you, there's an amazing Netflix documentary about John Lennon and the making of the Imagine album. It's called Above Us Only Sky. I watched it while wrapping presents. I think you were there with me watching it. I was getting emotional during parts of the documentary that were not emotional at all! Must've been you. I love you and miss you so much. We all shine on, Mom, because of you. Your Adam

August 8, 2018

I love and miss my childhood friend. So many memories and wonderful times.

August 3, 2018

I've only seen my Aunt Nancy a handful of times in my life, mainly during my childhood. I don't even know if she was ever aware of the impact she left on me. As a very shy kid, Nancy had a way of breaking that shell that encapsulated me and filled it love and compassion. She actually listened and cared about everything I had to say. She was a very gentle, caring and beautiful soul. Seeing her and my mom together was such a joyous thing, my mom was always laughing and smiling ear to ear...just happy. That's the effect she had on everyone. I only wish I could have seen my Aunt Nancy as a grown adult and I could make us some cocktails and we can jam out to music, that would be truly great!
We all miss you Aunt Nancy!
Love Always, your Nephew.
Joseph
P.S You have AMAZING taste in music :)

July 30, 2018

My mind is flooded with a life time of memories and loving thoughts. Moments really, that float through tears, to the surface and settle deep down in my heart. Formative memories that combined with others that have made me who I am today. I have always enjoyed knowing that your love, my Big Sister, was but a phone call, a text, Facebook post away; and now it will be in dreams, prayers, and my heart. I still love German Chocolate Cake, Macadamia Nut Ice Cream, and collecting shells on the beach. I still rinse out dishes in the sink - till I can get to them. I still crazily fold dirty clothes and put them in the hamper. I still make “Our Speghetti Sauce” - I call it that to distinguish it from my Mom’s. And I still reflect on fragemented encouragements that you instilled in the mind of an eight year old - so very long ago. Oh, how formative these memories were indeed; and how impressionable your love has been on my life. I will miss you to an extent I can’t describe, You will always be in my heart, thoughts, and prayers. OXOXOX always! Sean

Today I heard: “Do you know the way to San Jose”, Hi!

July 29, 2018

I had the honor of Nancy being my friend, neighbor, and PEO sister. As often as I spoke to Nancy, she never had a negative thought, she had me smile, what a positive person even during her illness. Nancy was certainly a wonderful example of what we all desire to be. We had fun talking about our sons, grandchildren, and spouses. I was a recipient of her gifts of knitting which I will cherish I thank God that I know I will see her again. God bless
you, Nancy and your family.

July 29, 2018

My Aunt Nancy was a truly wonderful woman with an infectious laugh that filled rooms.
Whenever Nancy and I spoke, she had this incredible ability to make me feel like i was the only other person in the universe... such a stellar listener that actually cared about my thoughts and opinions. She was one of a kind.
I will miss you dearly.
Love always from your nephew,
James

July 28, 2018

I thought this would be monumentally difficult for me to do, but once I began thinking of all she meant to me, it flowed effortlessly.
when I think of Nancy, I think of thoughtful, generous, patient, fair, funny, trustworthy, nurturing, kind, mentor, understanding, spiritual, hopeful, loving, optimistic, diplomatic, encouraging, and most of all her endless joy of being a wife and mother.
I am so thankful to have had her in my lift, my everlasting soul sister.

July 28, 2018

I met Nancy 56 years ago, we had many good times, Reedley College, San Jose, SF and Hawaii. Nancy was a joyful friend with a very big heart. I'll miss her and will always remember her laugh, smile, sense of right, and the way she approached life, the good and the not so good. Love you, and miss you my dear,dear friend, Sham

July 27, 2018

Our sons are but one of several things we have in common: a life-threatening illness, a love of each of our husbands who loved us and stood by us in the best AND worst of times and NEVER wavered in their support and advocacy, a love of books and reading - how we met and a deep love of our respective who have loved and supported us through our illnesses, no matter the outcome. They stood by their Dads too in a long burden of many ups and downs. Nancy and I have had to be strong warriors in the on-going face of battle. May all the good and loving parts of Nancy live on.

July 25, 2018

Here's a flower for you Mom. We put some of your favorite songs here. "imagine all the people...."

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Recent Tributes

July 8, 2023

nancy,
five years? you have been deep in my heart for each day.
still missing and loving you so so so very much.

May 25, 2023

View all 28 tributes

Gallery

Always beautiful, always full of love <3

Thanks for helping me make coffee this morning, Mom!

Beautiful rainbow in Amsterdam this week

Sean's Lei he sent from Hawaii on display

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Her Life

Mom is Happy

July 24, 2018

I don't think Mom was concerned about her legacy or how she'll be remembered. Mom was whole. She spent her life loving us and watching us all grow and enjoy life around her. I feel her with me right now. I don't think that's legacy, that's pure love. That's what Mom was all about.

She was so happy, even during her last, low energy days. Her sense of humor never left her, we were laughing most of time together, which wasn't much different than my previous 44 years with her - I think we laughed more than anything else together.

Some really humorous and heartwarming moments during her last days were when Dad would rub Mom's bald head. This "felt like heaven" to her because her hair was starting to grow back and it was really itchy. Watching Dad talk to Mom, making her laugh, giving her kisses, taking care of her - heartwarming and inspirational are understatements. We'll never forget those moments.

Also, we watched one of her favorite movies a few days before she passed, Death at a Funeral - odd now because of the title, but Mom absolutely loved that kind of dysfunctional, off the wall humor.

More smiles came when Beth would talk with her and Gabe and Eva would also tell her about their days at summer camp and she would just glow with happiness talking with them. It was amazing to watch.

During my last moments with her, I sang Bob Marley's Three Little Birds to her several times. I told her the origin of the lyrics and we had a few fun moments laughing about it.

Mom was so cute when she got to Hospice. She had on a red hat (which Dad still has) and a little pink top and the nurses gave her a bath and used an orange-smelling soap and lotion which made her feel so clean and fresh. She described herself as feeling "happy and sparkly" in some of our last conversations, several times. Matt and I got to spend a lot of time with Mom and Dad during Mom's last 6 weeks or so. We feel so lucky to have spent as much time with her and Dad as we did. That's what she did best and naturally, she gathered love around her, shared it with everyone and she's doing it now still.

Mom - I know you're watching and listening. I can hear you laughing and loving. I love you.

Adam

Nancy's Love

March 5, 2019

From my experience, and from all the comments from family and friends I've heard in person or through the memorial tributes - the attribute that stands out above all others is Nancy’s love for family, friends, life and all of creation. That is the greatest gift anyone can give in their life. I know that Nancy made an indelible impression on me, and apparently everyone she met. Nancy’s memory and spirit will continue with all those who knew her - but will be strongest with her family - watching over them and nudging them with love and strength when needed. With love to the entire Zembruski family.

John Billings

"Happy Shower"

September 28, 2018

I took a business trip to Amsterdam this week and on the way to the office the first morning I saw this beautiful rainbow. In Mom's final weeks on Earth, I became drawn to rainbows and I still am to this day. After thinking about this some more, I just realized why.

It's because Mom is in every rainbow. I see and feel her beauty and love in every rainbow now, and I think it's just another reminder that she is watching over us and spreading her love and light and beautiful happy energy all across the world.

I felt inspired today to upload the "True Colors" song by Cyndi Lauper onto this website. It's the song that comes to my mind and heart when I think of rainbows. And if you're visiting this site and hear that song, just know that Mom is sending you happy, healthy and beautiful energy right now. And Mom's magical energy always comes at just the right time....sometimes it's when we need it most and sometimes it's just there to give us a little extra boost of love and inspiration to keep going....to keep loving, to keep listening to our heart and to keep uplifting everyone in our life. Sometimes a smile or a couple simple words is all it takes to make a difference in someone's life.

Here's an example of what I mean by that...

About a month before Mom passed, my brother and I were visiting her and Dad at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and it was pure and raw emotion in Mom's room. It was pure love and brought tears of happiness and sadness to everyone there. I don't know if that makes sense, but sometimes translating emotions into words doesn't fully capture the reality of the moment. This was at a time when we didn't know how much longer Mom had with us, but she was a warrior and was giving us all strength during those beautiful hours.

My brother and I slept in Mom's hospital room while we were there, and we took turns taking showers during the day at a nearby hotel. In the midst of all the tears and all the unknowns and all the hope and all the love and all the everything, when it was my turn to leave the room to go take a shower, Mom said these two simple words to me.....words she had said to me all my life since I was a little kid.....

"Happy shower!"

Those simple words rang in my head all the way to the hotel that day and I still hear them often in my head now. Two words that seem so simple, yet they have made such an impact on my life over the years. Those words and the energy with which Mom said those words embodied love, optimism, peace and happiness. And they were always so comforting to hear. Without saying it, they said "I love you. I want the best for you. I want you to enjoy today. I want you to feel good. You deserve the very best, including a happy shower right now."

That day I actually cried my eyes out for a long time in the shower. It wasn't a pure, simple "happy shower" that I had experienced so many times over the years. It was one of pure raw emotion...everything from frustration to fear to love to sadness to loneliness.

Why do I share this with you now? It's simply to give you another little taste of how special and how loving and how strong our Mom is. In the midst of a battle for her life, she still found strength in her heart to think of my needs in that moment and to say those simple encouraging words to me one more time....Happy shower!

I see your true colors in every rainbow, Mom. Thank you for all your love and for all the rainbows! I see you and feel you everyday. Your love and inspiration live on in my heart and in the lives of so many others who you have touched over the years.

I love you forever,

Matt

The Farm and Music and Mom

August 22, 2018

We visited the farm in Voluntown the day before Mom's services. We all went and Dad was with us too (Farmer Bill). It was amazing. Same owners were there that bought it from us. They were so nice to show us all around. I haven't been back for 35 years (I was 9 when we moved, if anyone's doing the math). Whenever I fix something and the kids say, "wow, where did you learn that?" I always say, I learned it on the farm. Now, Gabe and Eva know what the "farm" looks like. My impression - I felt like a giant. Everything was smaller than I remembered. And, very cool - my name was still carved into one of the closet doors in my old bedroom. And then, the room where the record player was, I remembered that room more than anything - we must have spent a lot of time in there listening to music and other sweet sounds. Mom named me (middle name) after Joan Baez' song Gabriel and Me. That room is where we danced to it often and again in 2006, when Beth and I got married - that was our Mom/Son song. Ok, that's enough for now. Thank you to whoever is reading this. I love you Mom, I miss you more than ever.

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