Estella Michael

Utica - Mrs. Estella (Ziankowski) Michael, 77, a former resident of Victoria Drive, died peacefully with her loving family and friends by her side on Friday, December 12, 2008, at Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Boonville, NY where she was currently residing. She was born on November 15, 1931, to Felix and Matilda Ziankowski on the homestead farm on Cone Road in Boonville. Estella graduated from Constableville High School with the Class of 1949. On June 6, 1953, Estella was united in marriage with Edward Michael at St. Joseph's Church, Boonville. Prior to her marriage she was employed at Stanford Pharmacy in Boonville. After marriage and the couple's move to Utica, she was employed at Webb's Mens Clothing Store as a sale clerk for many years. Following the purchase of Ryder's Camera Studio on Genesee St, Utica, Estella retired from Webb's to work full time and assist Ed in the couples' Camera/Photography Studio. Her husband, a U.S. Navy veteran who was assigned to the U.S. Naval Photographic Interpretive Center, Washington, D.C., died on March l2, 2006. Estella was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Utica, the Utica Curling Club, the United Polka League of Utica and the Country Western Line Dancing Group of Oneida. Estella and her late husband, Ed, also enjoyed golf and the 19th hole with former curlers and friends at Sauquoit Knolls Golf Club in Clayville. In addition, Estella was known for her avid QVC shopping and crafting. Estella is survived by her sister, Charlotte Rava, Boonville; her brother and sister-in-law, Stanley and Elaine Ziankoski, New Hartford; five nieces, Deborah Rava Hopps, Austin, TX, Denise Rava Hawk, Umatilla, FL, Diane Rava Potts, Atlanta, GA., Dawn Rava Crofoot, Boonville, and Linnea Ziankoski Hanno, Cape Coral, FL; two nephews, Dr. M. Shawn Ziankoski, Barneveld, NY, and Lonnie Ziankoski, Pennellville, NY; nine grandnephews and grandnieces, and nine great-grandnephews and great-grandnieces. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her precious canine companion, Mink. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to cousin Mary Szalach and dear friends Cecil and Cecelia Bunal for their loving support and weekly visits while Estella was a resident at Sunset. To her friend Bob Miller for rekindling a friendship and putting a smile on her face as they reminisced about childhood memories. We would like to thank the staff at Sunset for the excellent care provided to Estella, and a special thank you to Sue Nicholes for making Estella feel so special. Her funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 20th, at 9:15 a.m. from the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., 143 Schuyler St., Boonville, and at 10:00 a.m. from St. Joseph's Church, Charles Street, Boonville, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Donald H. Karlen, Pastor. Interment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery at a later date. Friends and relatives are invited to call at the funeral home on Friday, December 19th, from 1-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to St. Joseph's Church Memorial Fund, Church St., Boonville, NY 13309 or the Utica Curling Club, 8300 Clark Mills Road, Whitesboro, NY 13492.