Catherine A. "Tinka" Zenke

Catherine A. "Tinka" Zenke, 106, of Dalton died peacefully Tuesday at Mountain View Care Center in Scranton.  She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother (GiGi), cousin, and friend.

Born in Scranton on September 30, 1914, she was the daughter of the late Garfield and Emma Fellows Davies, and the granddaughter of the late John H. Fellows, 8th mayor of Scranton.  Tinka was a 1932 graduate of Central High School and a member of First Presbyterian Church in Clarks Summit.  Prior to retirement, Tinka worked for International Salt Company and in the Trust Department of PNC Bank.

Tinka was the widow of Albert C. Zenke who died in 1979.  Tinka and Al met as teenagers at Lake Winola, and after their marriage in 1936, they spent many enjoyable summers at the lake, surrounded by special cousins, family and friends.

Tinka was an avid birdwatcher and environmentalist. She held many leadership positions and volunteered constantly in the Lackawanna Audubon Society(LAS), and was honored by receiving the LAS Golden Eagle Award and Lifetime Achievement Award. She represented the LAS at the first Earth Day in Scranton in 1970.  Tinka also participated in National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count for decades.

For the better part of her life Tinka was an active volunteer.  She delivered Meals on Wheels, was a Brownie leader, volunteered in the libraries at both Abington Heights Middle School and in Dalton, was a Deacon and Circle Bible Study leader in her church, and was a member of Central's Alumni Association  and received their Spirit Award.  She and one other class member even met for their 80th class reunion!  Tinka also was a resource person for many local students doing Scranton historical research projects.

Along with all of these activities, Tinka became a world traveler with her husband, daughter Sue, and good friends, birdwatching and studying natural history.  She visited  many states in the US, with Alaska being her favorite. Internationally, she traveled to Peru, the Netherlands, Kenya, Panama, Mexico, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, Churchill Manitoba, Newfoundland, and other Canadian provinces.

Tinka lived a full life and was a "people person " with family and friends being an important part of her life.  As her last act of kindness, she wanted to donate her body for medical research.  Unfortunately because of COVID restrictions, this donation was not possible.

Surviving are two daughters; Susan Zenke, Dalton and Jean Foster Siebecker and husband Bill, Clarks Summit; grandchildren Susan Flynn and Ken Foster; great-grandchildren Ryan and Ethan Flynn, Sophia and Olivia Foster all of Clarks Summit, and many loving cousins.

She was preceded in death by her infant son Albert G. Zenke (Jean's twin),  sister-in-law Irma Zenke, and son-in-law John Foster.

Tinka's family would like to thank all of the doctors and other medical professionals who cared for her.  Her family also deeply appreciates the dedication of Tinka's caregivers.  Their help allowed Tinka to stay at home until the last four months of her life.  Special thanks to Tracy, Marji, her granddaughter Sue, Kathy, Julie, Theresa, Bev, the caring, loving staff at Mountain View, and Compassionate Care Hospice.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit, 300 School Street, Clarks Summit. Friends may call from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. All who attend are asked to wear a mask .

Memorial contributions may be made to Lackawanna Audubon Society's Special Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 132, La Plume, PA 18440 or First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit's Norton Fund, 300 School St., Clarks Summit, PA 18411.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 418 South State St., Clarks Summit.