Zwicki, Sheila A.

Sheila A. Zwicki, 93, of Iowa City, died peacefully in her home Wednesday, May 11, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, with burial to follow at Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Sheila Collins was born April 27, 1918, in London, England, the daughter of Charles and Bessie (Merrett) Collins. She received her nursing degree from Woolwich Poly-Technic. It was during World War II in England that an American soldier named Carl Zwicki offered Sheila the empty seat next to him aboard a crowded train and an undying love was born. The two corresponded for three years after the war, time enough for Carl to persuade Sheila to make the long journey to America. The couple were reunited in New York City on Feb. 29, 1948, and settled in Iowa City. They were married May 1, 1949, at A Little Bit of Heaven in Davenport. Sheila worked as a nurse at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, and then for 20 years at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics before retiring in 1987.

Her family includes her son, Dr. Robert Zwicki of Iowa City; daughter-in-law, Cay Zwicki of Ottumwa; fosterdaughter, Patty (Don) Frederick of Hampton, Va.; granddaughter, Krista Fox (Wayne) Kube, and great-grandchildren, Mya, Bradyn and Kyan, all of Arlington, Minn.; brothers, Jack and Pete (Mary) Collins, brother-in-law, Frank Bird, and sister-in-law, Jeannie Collins, all of England; brother, Robert (Sylvia) Collins of Canada; sister-in-law, Joyce Collins of South Australia; and many beloved nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.

Preceding Sheila in death were her parents; her husband, Carl in 2006; her brother, Donald (Ron) Collins; and her sister, Mary Bird.

Never has there been a kinder, more loving soul than Sheila.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Sheila's memory.

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