Nora E. Zajac

Nora E. Zajac, Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church gracefully passed away on Thursday, November 23, 2023 at the age of 89 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was born in West Frankfort, Illinois on June 21, 1934 to Jack and Mary James (nee Whittington). After graduating high school, she traveled to Chicago, Il to pursue her career in the work force. It was there she met her husband Richard Zajac, they soon married, and began a family with two sons, Mark and Scott. They remained in the north Chicago suburbs until 1976 with Nora being a devoted wife, full time mom and homemaker. She was always an excellent cook, having learned this skill from her mother, Mary, and everyone anticipated enjoying her delicious meals at family gatherings. After relocating to St. Louis in 1976, she became actively involved in Welcome Wagon, and quickly made some wonderful friends that she has continued to see over the years. She loved gardening and nature, spending her spare time in the backyard tending her flowers and watching the wildlife. She was always very involved in the care of her grandchildren throughout the years and showered them with constant love. Anyone who has ever met Nora would agree that she was an incredibly kind, warm, affectionate person that made them feel valued, special, and loved. Her legacy of kindness, caring, and warmth have been multiplied in those whose lives she touched. She will be greatly missed, and our lives will never be the same without her, but her love of the Lord, her family, and friends, will live on in our hearts forever.

Nora is survived by her sons, Mark (Becky) Zajac and Scott (Jan) Zajac; grandchildren, Richard (Hans Van Dyck) Zajac, Rachel (Brendan) Rotert, Jim Zajac, Andy (Madison) Stoops, Joe Stoops, Kristen (Brett) Nelson, Jason Taylor, and Molly (Connor) Goodrich; great-granddaughter, Marceline Rotert; nephews, Jack (Diane) Zajac and Jack (Dawn) Bowman; nieces, Joyce (John) Kunath and Julee Bowman; great-niece, Kelli Kunath; great-nephews, Patrick and Joe Zajac; cousins, Robert (Naomi) James and Cliff (Karen) Whittington; former daughter-in-law, Linda Stroud; and a host of other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard A. Zajac; father, Jack James; mother, Mary James; sisters, Mona (Bill) Bowman and Carolyn Kay James; and brother, John James.

Memorial contributions may be made in Nora's honor to:

The Thompson Foundation for Autism & Neurodevelopment Click Here to donate online.

Following visitation from 9 am to 11 am, there will be a Memorial Service celebrated on Thursday, December 7 at 11 am in the Newcomer Chapel, 2211 Clarkson Rd, Chesterfield, MO 63017. The celebrant will be Deacon Mark Friedlein, a longtime friend of the family.


Nora's services will be livestreamed at the scheduled day and time. Please click here to view the services.


To share a memory of Nora or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.