Johanna Franziska (Schopf) Zielinski

Johanna Franziska (Schopf) Zielinski passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026, at the age of 97, surrounded by cherished family members. Born on May 13, 1928, in Hockenheim, Germany, to Heinrich and Magdalena Schopf, she met the love of her life, Adam Zielinski, during the war. He had come from Poland, and after a faithful courtship, they married on October 28, 1949. Soon afterward, the couple courageously left their homelands with just one dollar in their pocket and crossed the ocean to begin a new life in America.

They first settled in Brooklyn, New York, before making their lifelong home in Plainville, Connecticut, where they raised their five children with love, strength, and sacrifice. A devout Catholic, Johanna possessed a beautiful voice that she shared joyfully in church, at home, and with friends. She carried the faith, traditions, and spirit of her German heritage into the family life she and Adam built together. Her warmth, kindness, radiant smile, and contagious joy for life touched everyone who knew her.

Johanna is lovingly remembered by her children: Karl (Debbie) Zielinski of Manchester; Eric Zielinski (partner Jane Barnes and her son, Chris Bernd of CO) of Black Rock; Yanina (Bruce) Daigle of Granby; Peter (Lisa) Zielinski of Trumbull; and son-in-law Brian McNaboe of Burlington. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Krista (Matt) Rotella of Stratford; Aaron (Arielle) Daigle of Londonderry, NH; Erika (Michael) Podias of Boston, MA; Alexander (Madison) Daigle of Boston, MA; Luke (Caroline) McNaboe of New Britain; Connor (Jill Scherpa) McNaboe of Granby; Tessa McNaboe of West Hartford; Riley McNaboe of Burlington; Lauren Zielinski of West Hartford; Kyle Zielinski of Manhattan, NY; Derek Zielinski of Old Lyme; and Jaret Zielinski of Trumbull. She was blessed with great-grandchildren Owen and Sofia Rotella, Harper Daigle, and Lyra Podias.

She is survived by her sister, Antonie Krauland of East Hartland, CT, and her children Elke Kulas, Heike Krauland, and Dietrich Krauland. Johanna was predeceased by her beloved husband of 64 years, Adam Zielinski; her daughter, Tania McNaboe; her granddaughter, Brianna McNaboe; and her grandson, Adam Zielinski. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the greatest joys of her life. She loved playing tennis in her younger years, walking in Norton Park while sharing stories with her grandchildren, and spending summers at the “Z” beach house in Old Lyme. Even at 94, she served as the exuberant flower girl at her granddaughter’s wedding. Johanna lived with an unforgettable energy and love that will continue to inspire her large and devoted family for generations to come.