Claudine (Laws) Zinkl

CLAUDINE (LAWS) ZINKL, our strong and benevolent matriarch died at the age of 76, surrounded in love on July 25, 2013 at her daughter's home in Santa Rosa. Devoted wife of Donald Zinkl of Windsor. Cherished mother of Tanya Taylor (Larry) of Santa Rosa, Matthew Zinkl (Vera) of Rohnert Park, and Vincent Zinkl (Lynn) of Petaluma. Adored grandmother of Roxanne, Robyn, Dawn, Forrest, Hunter and Zane. Beloved great-grandmother of Heather, David, Tyler and CJ, Lydia and Elijah and great-great grandmother of Nathen and Daylen. Survived by several nieces and nephews, extended family and those that she loved as her own. Loving sister of the late Bert Laws. Claudine was born in San Rafael, to Cuthbert and Geraldine Laws, raised and educated in Petaluma, graduating from St. Vincent High School. In June of 1955, she married Donald at St. Vincent's Church and together they enjoyed 58 years of marriage. As a young woman, she worked at Eliot's Candyland in Petaluma, where she made many lifelong friends. Claudine worked for many years as a caregiver at Hillcrest Hospital in Petaluma never really retiring from the private homecare career that she loved. She enjoyed being outdoors, camping, fishing and hunting and spending time at their "little cabin in the woods" in Mendocino Co. Claudine took pride in her wood cutting prowess, gleefully accepting a chain saw for her 70th birthday. She had a quick wit and self-deprecating sense of humor (meeting the grand-kid's label as "the fun police" with a smile). She made friends everywhere to her last days. She was devoted to not only her immediate family and treasured friends and classmates, but also the extended family she had while a caregiver. Claudine was a wonderful woman; she will be missed by those fortunate to have known her. Friends and family are invited to attend the Memorial Mass, Monday, August 12, 2013 at 11:00 AM at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 35 Liberty St., Petaluma. Memorial donations may be made to Huntington's Disease Society of America, 505 Eighth Ave., Ste. 902, New York, NY 10018 or your favorite charity.