Obituaries

Zola Pemberton Peckham

Dec. 1, 1915-Dec. 19, 2013
Former longtime Greenport resident Zola Van Dyne Pemberton Peckham of Honeoye Falls, N.Y., peacefully took Heaven by storm Dec. 19, 2013, at the age of 98. 

Zola was predeceased by her loving husband of 46 years, Jack, and 11 brothers and sisters. She is survived by her brother Hector (Jay); her children, Bruce (Lynn) and Connie (Mike); grandchildren John (also known as that nice young man from the fire department) and his wife, Marianne, Jacqueline (Michael Tan), Heather (Becci) and Jim (Janis); great-grandchildren Chelsea, James (known as Bill) and Jameson Tan; many nieces and nephews; her beloved New York Yankees; and Sam the Duck.

“Oh the life I have lived!” Zola lived a very full life (think Rose in the movie “Titanic” — minus the actual Titanic, of course — but there was quite the hurricane that hit Greenport in ’38); a life that left Zola with wonderful stories that she shared with everyone.

Our Nana espoused the most pure and selfless love, a love of life and how to live with passion and gusto. She demonstrated an unconquerable love for family, friends and everyone who crossed her path. She was known for sharing the things that mattered, except her famous potato salad recipe.

Throughout her life Nana’s constant question to all of us remained, “How can I help?” Zola regularly demonstrated the importance of staying true to oneself, especially when ways perceived as stubborn drove everyone around her wild as they tried to deal with it.

She will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate to have known her. Remembrances of Zola should be with a feeling of celebration, not sorrow.

Arrangements were handled by Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport. Memorial contributions may be made to Floyd Memorial Library, 539 First St., Greenport, NY 11944.

In the spring, our “Daughter of the Island” will be laid to rest in her beloved Greenport, where one can hear the sound of the bay under skies that ring with the cries of sea birds.

This is a paid notice.