Antonia Zmuda

God called, Antonia answered, and the angels sang. Antonia Zmuda was born August 30, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to Anthony and Mary (Kulig) Zmuda. She was the second oldest of five girls. They grew up loving and enjoying the friendship of each other all of their lives. Tonia attended St. Louis Academy and Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, Wisconsin where she studied to become the fine teacher she was. She taught school for thirty-five years in Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio and Hawaii. She retired in 1991 while living in Illinois. Later, she and her friend Mary Raasch moved to Arizona. She became an ambassador for Arizona to all of the friends and relatives who visited and were welcomed to her home. Many of her friends moved to the area after their excursions with Tonia. After her retirement, Tonia was blessed to travel to many areas outside of Arizona: Alaska, Hawaii, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Panama. Tonia will be remembered for her sense of humor, her "corny" jokes, her loyalty to family and friends, her deep dedication to her church wherever she lived and her affirmative nature to others. When asked what she would like to eat, she asked for pasta, Polish food, pickles and olives stuffed with garlic. Music and books enriched her days. Tonia is survived by her dear friend Mary Raasch, two sisters: Alexandra (Andrew) Panega, Danielle (Robert) Young, Brother -in-law Dennis Bravo and fourteen nieces and nephews: Kozlowski: Mari, Bruno, Steven. Panega: Andy, Tony, Jeff, Andrea, Marty, Marlo. Young: Robert, Carla, Michael. Adducci: Alex, Jodell, and many cousins and friends. Tonia was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Mary Ann (Bruno) Kozlowski and her sister Linda Bravo. Memorial Mass is August 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 9728 W. Palmeras Drive, Sun City, Arizona 85373. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Celebrant: Rev. Raymond Greco, OSB Concelebrant: Rev. Frank Bartel In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Hospital or Smile Train. Many thanks to all--especially Fr. Greco, Barbara and Charlie Lang and Tonia's sister Sandy for all they have done to make Tonia's last days so restful and peaceful. The staff at Boswell Hospital, Freedom Plaza Care Center and Hospice of the West were so compassionate, gentle and thorough in their care and support. God bless all who offered prayers and help in any way