James W. Shirley Funeral Home
Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | August 08, 2023
Cecilia “Cil” Zabelsky, of North Huntingdon, age 82 passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Monday August 7, 2023. She was born in Duquesne on July 28, 1941 and is the daughter of late Michael and Rose (Kubec) Sucevic. Beloved wife of Robert “Izzy” Zabelsky of 64 years. Loving mother of Keith (Lisa) Zabelsky of Harrison City; Gregg (Mary Lynne) Zabelsky of North Huntingdon; and Lisa Lilley of North Huntingdon. Cherished grandmother “Nana” of late Ryan Zabelsky, Jason Zabelsky, Kevin Zabelsky, Rachel Zabelsky; Alex Zabelsky (fiancée Lauren), Nicole Zabelsky (fiancé Mike); Megan Krehbiel (Andy) and Amanda Swanson (Caleb) and great-granddaughter, Penelope Cecilia Swanson. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends. In addition to her parents; she was preceded in death by her siblings, Paul Sucevic and Dorothy Lipchak and grandson, Ryan Zabelsky. Cecilia’s parents owned a bar, “Mike’s Bar”, in Duquesne across from the Steel Mills where Cil lived and worked throughout her youth. She met and married Robert “Izzy” Zabelsky, also of Duquesne, and had all 3 children, Keith, Gregg and Lisa while living in Duquesne. In 1967, their family moved to North Huntingdon where they have remained to date. She was a stay-at-home mom and wife for 15 years and once her children were grown, she opened her own travel business of over 25 years, “Four Seasons Travel”, in White Oak until she retired in 2007. Travel was a big part of Cil’s life both as a professional as well as in her personal life. She and husband Izzy traveled many places with close friends, Dolly & Sonny Jubic throughout the years. Cil's other interests included golf, bowling, gardening and card playing. As well as playing in a monthly “card club”, many nights were spent at her house playing cards with friend, Barb, while laughing and sipping wine. Her love of the beach predicated the purchase of their own condo in North Myrtle Beach where they vacationed with family and friends for over 25 years. One word that comes to mind when thinking of Cil was “compassionate”. Through her life she took care of several elderly friends, Thelma and Gladys, as well as caring and taking into their home her father, father-in-law, mother-in-law and grandchild. She extended her love and sense of family outside her immediate family and welcomed her nephew Joel Nagy, wife Laura and children Jake and Ethan into the folds of her family and traditions. Family and tradition were the foundation of Cil’s beliefs and she instilled these important beliefs into all of her children and grandchildren. This can be demonstrated by the yearly family Myrtle Beach vacations, countless holiday traditions, and she never missed an important event in any of her children or grandchildren’s lives. “Nana” was always present and forever feeding any and all that was around her… If you didn’t want to eat or accept seconds, “you must be ill”. Cil (Nana) will be greatly missed by her family and friends in both Pittsburgh and Myrtle Beach. Cil and her family have chosen to not have any viewing or funeral service at this time but plan to have a Memorial at some time in the future. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to Saint Judes. Arrangements made by James W. Shirley Funeral Home, 176 Clay Pike, North Huntingdon, PA 15642. www.shirleyfuneralhome.com
Originally published August 08, 2023.
Other deaths:
"John M. "Jack" Pozivi…" || "David H. Schweitzer"
