Mina Zuke Lomac

BIDDEFORD - Mina passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 14, surrounded by friends and family in her childhood home where she resided for many of her 96 years. She was born on August 3, 1917, the daughter of Julian and Mary (Donasawich) Zuke. She grew up in Biddeford, graduating from Biddeford High School in 1936. Mina married Joseph M. Lomac a few years later and moved to Portland where they raised their family, a son James and daughter Julie. A firm believer in the adage "if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life," Mina always found work that fit her love of life and people. She was a proud telephone switchboard operator, a job that eventually led her to a position operating the switchboard at the Eastland Hotel. From there, she moved to the front desk where she enjoyed speaking with many interesting people. The last part of her working life was spent improving the smiles of people across southern Maine as an assistant to her longtime friend, orthodontist Dr. Alfred Osher, a job from which she eventually retired at 75. Above all else, Mina loved her family and friends and absolutely relished the roles of mother and grandmother. During Jim's and Julie's high school years, the house on Clark Street was the meeting place for all of their friends. Later she displayed the same interest in her grandchildren's high school and college friends. During her final years, she was nurtured by many memories, photographs, and visits from friends and family. She remained fiercely independent insisting on stoking her woodstove until two years ago. Her ability to stay in the comfort of her own home is largely attributed to the support provided by Dr. Patricia Stogsdill, caregivers, and many family members, especially her loving nephew Robert Zuke and his family. She is predeceased by her parents; husband, Joseph Lomac and her brothers, Joseph and Julian Zuke. She is survived by her son James Lomac and his wife Sheila, her daughter Julie Tselikis and her husband, Steven, all of Cape Elizabeth; grandchildren Annie Tselikis of Bangor, Jim Tselikis of Los Angeles, CA; John Fairfield of Houlton, and Stobie Fairfield and her son Sangye Sherpa of South Portland. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Walter Lomac and sister-in-law Helena Lomac, both of Pinehurst, NC; sister-in-law Mary Lomac of San Diego, CA, and sister-in-law Lorette Zuke of Biddeford and many special nephews, nieces and friends. Visiting hours will be at Conroy - Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, Monday , May 19, 2014 from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00pm. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 10:15am on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 followed by an 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Bartholomew's Church, 8 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. Those who wish may make donations in Mina's memory to: Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route #1, Scarborough, Maine 04074 or the Center for Grieving Children, 555 Forest Ave, Portland, Maine 04101.Online condolences may be expressed below.