LAKELAND, Fla. — It is with great sadness that the family of Nancy Zimny Plunkett announces her passing on July 3, 2024, at age 82.
Nancy was born on October 10, 1941, in Milwaukee, Wis. She was the third and final child of Roman and Sylvia Zimny.
Nancy spent her early years in Milwaukee and attended the University of Wisconsin. While working in the dorm cafeteria, she met Thomas Plunkett. They married on October 20, 1962, and started their life in Southern California.
Nancy received an undergraduate degree from UCLA and a master’s degree from USC. Nancy was thrilled that her schools are finally joining the BigTen.
Their family grew in Southern California with the births of their first three children, Tom, Katie and Ted. In 1969, they moved to Michigan to be closer to family. Their final child, Mary, was born there.
First and foremost, she was a wonderful wife and mother. She supported Tom’s career as they moved around the country. Nancy was very involved in her children’s activities and schools. She had a career as a teacher and touched the lives of many students over the years.
A devout Catholic, her faith was an important part of her life. She especially enjoyed singing in the church choir. Nancy had a beautiful voice. Her children inherited her love of musicals and can sing songs from any Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Please test us.
Nancy and Tom traveled extensively all over Europe, South America, the Middle East, Africa, and America. Some of their more memorable trips include the Holy Land and Africa. Katie was lucky to travel with her mother to Alaska, the Galapagos Islands, Russia, and China.
Nancy, or “Grammy,” was a legendary grandmother. She unconditionally loved her eight grandchildren: T.J., Kendal, Kylee, Charlie, Grace, Brigid, Brett, and Savannah. Nancy and Tom supported them at many school and sporting events. She was a wonderful grandmother hosting her grandchildren at the cabin in Wisconsin many times over the years. Nancy was thrilled when Kendal married David and Charlie married Megan.
Becoming a great-grandmother when Kendal and David welcomed Jackson was a special moment for her. She prayed hard and was excited to welcome two great-grandchildren later this Summer.
Nancy was predeceased by her parents, Roman and Sylvia Zimny, her sister Ruth Melloh, her brothers-in-law Richard Melloh, and Donald Dettmann.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Thomas Plunkett, her sister Shirley Dettmann, her children, Tom Plunkett, Katie Plunkett, Ted Plunkett, Mary Tyree, and her husband Jason, her eight loving grandchildren and great-grandson, her sister-in-law Marla Suckow, and her husband Mark, and 16 nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at Gentry-Morrison, 3350 Mall Hill Drive, Lakeland, FL 33810. A chapel viewing will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, starting at 10:30 a.m. at Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Terrace Way, Lakeland, FL 33813, followed by a Mass at 11 a.m. at the church.
A graveside service will immediately follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, 4620 US Hwy 98 S, Lakeland, FL 33812.
Memorial donations may be made to Talbot House Ministries (www.talbothouse.org).
