Past Events

Celebrating Joan's Birthday on March 28, 2008
Many thanks to the following friends and family members who contributed stories of how they celebrated Joan on her birthday:

Eric: For Mom's bday, Dey and I went to the spot where we had our engagement pics taken, it's called Windansea Beach. Nice little stretch of beach away from the masses. We caught a great sunset, with lots of surfers and body boarders in the water. Check out the pics from the below link. After sunset we headed out for sushi in La Jolla, and rounded out the night at Dave and Busters where, in addition to the usual Whack-a-Mole and Ms Pacman tomfoolery, one of our friends pulled off the amazing feat of grabbing two prizes at the same time in the Claw-Grab game. Divine intervention was a distinct possibility. It was a very nice night.

Laura: I had a very interesting day in celebration of mom. my plan was to try to hitchike from taupo to rotarua, as there was a truckstop where all the "truckies" stop right up the road from where I camped and I heard I would have no problem getting a ride. I figured although mom would be a bit worried as a mom if she knew I was doing this, she would also realize that I get this adventurous free spirit from here, and it in turn its her fault! :) so it would be a fitting tribute to her on her birthday. as I was packing up the last of my tent into my pack, the family across the way (who had been there for the whole time I was camping over 2 days but we only said hi once I think) randomly approached me and asked if I wanted a ride into town. I told them my plan and said I was going the other direction, but it turned out after town they were going to rotarua. so if I didn't mind hanging with kids in the back of the campervan, I was more than welcome. after hanging out with them for a bit in town, they convinced me rotarua wasn't all that, and I ended up going with them all the way up to the bay of islands (~9 hours north) over the course of friday and saturday. its now sunday, and I'm still hanging out with them. they are going to give me a ride back down to auckland on wednesday in fact! I've eaten pretty much every meal with them so far and think geoff and kerri (the parents) are psyched to have me as entertainment value for the 3 kids (xavier-10, alexander-7 and julie-almost 4). its been totally fun, and geoff and kerri are awesome. its like I'm in an alternate universe or something. anyway, I'm sure mom had her hands in this one, replacing the truckie with an aussie family.....especially one that cooks for me and gives me beer! awesome. pics will appear once I can upload them somehow. nice weekend indeed.

Sonia:Apropos to one of the biggest national holidays of the year, my celebration was more of a weekend-long affair. ;) On Friday, I played hooky from work (also known as "working from home") and when one of my co-workers tried scheduling an early afternoon meeting, I told her about my plans to go have a three-martini lunch to celebrate Mom. She changed the meeting to a different day, and suggested I make it a four-martini lunch. I went out with my good friend Clara to a nearby Italian restaurant, and instead of martinis we wound up having a bottle of Prosecco, which seemed more celebratory. The funny thing was, the waiter kept coming over to refill my glass, and each time it bubbled over by just a few drops. Clara thought that was an appropriate tribute to a woman who lived her life to the brim. We spent the evening with some dear friends who took it upon themselves to make sure I was in a good mood. And then the rest of the weekend involved attending an Adventure Travel Expo, a party in Baltimore, and a huge Italian potluck dinner at the home of our friends. Definitely a weekend surrounded by good friends and good times.

Hey Z family,
It's Denise Krenski here. I celebrated your mom's birthday with a bunch of ladies at a really classy bowling alley in Brooklyn, NY. We kept it easy and light...and, barely drank any beer...well, at least a few pitchers went back...but, the bowling was fun and not the least bit competitive. I think I lost each round...but, we weren't there to win...so I keep telling myself...
Enjoy the picture and I think it is awesome that you guys do this...
Best,
Denise

Hi, This is a photo of me raising a glass to my Dear friend Joan on her birthday. We raised many a glass together and she will always have a part of my heart. I know how very proud she would have been of all her children. You clearly inherited her spirit. Let's remember her forever. Happy Birthday Joanie!
Love, Char

Dear Zamborskys -
Thanks for the birthday email. I plan to celebrate Joan by saying a prayer for her and all of you, then I'll go shopping!! A toast to Joan and her zest for life will top off the day. What wonderful memories of a remarkable person.
Love, JoJo Muir

Dear Zs,
As you know, Joan and I celebrated many birthdays together since we both had March 28 as our birthday. I always remember when I would tell people that Joan and I had the same birthday, Joan would immediately say "but not the same year". And I would just as quick say That's right, Joan is older. After Joan hit me I confessed that I was at least a couple of months older. Miss my birthday partner!
Bill Burfeind

Hey ZZZZZs:
BOOOJAAH!! Happy Birthday Joan!! We miss you but we know you're living large up there, getting things ready for the rest of us (make sure we all have reservations, but don't make them too soon). Try not to piss off St. Peter by repeatedly asking for the best courses and the best tee times. And, turn in all your scores, because (just like down here) people are starting to talk about your handicap.
To celebrate, we had dinner last night with your Dad, Cathy, Marianne, and Fred and we raised a glass or two in your Mom's honor. Wish the rest of you could have been here. Today Carol and Marianne are making a graveside visit and planting some flowers. A little drizzle is going on here right now but it's supposed to get sunnier later today--very fitting weather given the circumstances.
Your Mom will always be somewhere in our gatherings regardless of where and why we choose to get together. Love always...
Sincerely,
"Uncle" Frank & "Aunt" Carol

Hello Zs,
I have a fuzzy birthday memory. It was held at your family home and there were only ladies invited. I heard whispers about "something special" that was going to happen. Lo and behold! In comes a gorilla who was going to perform a strip tease dance. It was at this point that I, in a panic, retreated to the kitchen to see if I could "help". I hid in there for a while because the gorilla was going to incorporate a banana into his routine. I could only imagine. Or maybe I couldn't and that was my problem! But that's not all, not by a long shot. The doorbell rang again and in walked Fr. Buckley, just in time to see the stripping gorilla. I didn't attend parochial schools for 12 long years only to become involved in such sordidness. I finally came back to the party when all the sinfulness was over and had drinks and a great cake and a great time. I can still hear Joan's laugh echoing in my mind. She loved it. Again, I don't remember if it was her birthday or if it was for a friend and held at your house. But Joan was in the thick of it, as you might have expected. Happy Birthday, my friend. I still miss you.
Sally

The Baehlers and Jenkinses got together and made a toast to Joan's birthday. We remember her contagious smile and her fun loving nature. We miss her and think of her often. Happy Birthday, Joan.
Georgia

I will do something special for Joan today one day late. [ed note: how appropriate!] I will devote my whole day to her. I miss her very much. I think of her often and talk to her. she was so important and special to me. I never celebrated her BD with her but wish I did. Fondly,
Eleanor

Hi Eric, Dave, Laura, Sonia and Don too,
What a wonderful women Joan was. She was so proud of all of you too. Both Vince and I will always remember her beautiful smile and her warm hellos. We met Joan through church and shared our faith with her. We went to Mass on Friday morning (March 28) and we celebrated Joan and thanked God for her presence in our lives. We also did some reminiscing throughout the day about Joan. March 28th is indeed a very special day that we will mark on our calendar. We said this before but we'll say it again, "you kids are great". Take care.
Love, Jeanie and Vince

Celebrating Joan in Paris
Five Zs went to Paris to celebrate Joan's 60th birthday on March 28, 2007. We took a cooking class, visited all the major landmarks, and smuggled a bottle of red wine to the top of the Eiffel Tower for an ilicit toast. Check out a handful of pics in the Paris gallery.