HENDERSONVILLE — Frank and Mildred “Mickie” Zamborsky loved the Catholic Church and their particular parish community.
They memorialized this love by leaving a bequest in their estate to benefit their parish, Immaculate Conception Church. A portion of the bequest has been used to establish the Frank and Mildred Zamborsky Endowment Fund through the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation.
Capuchin Franciscan Father Martin Schratz, their former pastor, remembers the couple for their simplicity.
“They had a simple faith,” Father Schratz said. “They were unassuming people. Their simplicity was part of the beauty of who they were. They had a great love for the Church.”
Frank passed away at the age of 91 in March of 2017. Mickie passed away at the age of 86 in February of 2018, almost a year later. They had lived in Hendersonville the last 30 years of their lives.
Frank’s niece, Sister of Charity Dorothy Blatnica, shares her recollection of her uncle and aunt.
“Frank was born into a faith-filled Catholic family and continued to be an active Catholic all of his life,” Sister Dorothy said. “He and Mickie were faithful members of their various parishes, as his (accountant) job with General Motors demanded transfers to various cities. He had a devotion to St. Francis of Assisi, his patron saint. Mickie was extremely devoted to St. Therese of Lisieux and included brief intercessory prayers to these saints at each grace before meals.”
Sister Dorothy noted that the couple was actively involved in volunteer work for many years in the Meals on Wheels program in Hendersonville, and Mickie was a volunteer for a number of years at Opportunity House and Elizabeth Hospice House in Hendersonville.
“They understood and appreciated their Catholic faith, which was firmly rooted in their parish church,” she explained. “They were of the generation that was strongly committed to God and country. Frank had served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and God and country were the pillars of his identity – as it was for many of his peers.
“He and Aunt Mickie were never boastful of their charitable deeds, whether in the form of service or donations. It’s who they were,” she added.
Mickie Zamborsky’s niece, Joan Creamer, agrees. “They were very private people…never boastful and silent with humility in their giving.
“Both Sister Dorothy and I are proud of our aunt and uncle, and we would like them to be remembered for their very generous gift to the Church. They didn’t have children to carry on the name, perhaps their generosity will,” she said.
“We are so appreciative of those who give through their estate plan to continue the good works of the Church,” said Gina Rhodes, diocesan director of planned giving. “The Zamborskys’ legacy will live forever through their named endowment. More and more people across the diocese are following their example by establishing an endowment in their estate plans,” Rhodes noted.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
Learn more
For details about setting up an endowment, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..