Obituary: Kirsten I. Zani; Pioneer in Elder Care, Owned Park Manor Rest Homes

Obituary from Mackey Funeral Home.

Kirsten I. Zani, age 78, daughter of Olai and Gudrun (Andreassen) Grindheim, passed away after a lengthy illness, peacefully at home and surrounded by family and friends, on Friday, March 20, 2015.

Kirsten was born on April 14, 1936, in Bergen, Norway. She attended the Haukeland School of Nursing and emigrated to the United States in 1956. In August of 1959, she married Leonard P. Zani at St. Cecelia’s Church in Boston. During their marriage, Leonard attained his doctorate with Kirsten’s close support. Kirsten also initiated her elder care , and later, real estate careers. Kirsten is the mother of Paul Zani and his wife, Tammy, and Alan Zani and his wife, Janet. She is the grandmother to Benjamin, Matthew, Sarah, Erik and Erin Zani. She is also the great grandmother to Ava Zani. Kirsten is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brothers, Ragnvald, Osvald, Hjalmar and sister, Astrid Solberg.

Besides her extensive involvement in real estate, Kirsten was a pioneer in elder care. She owned and operated Park Manor Rest Homes, at 7 & 9 Park St. in Danvers and was one of the first to initiate assisted living concepts in Danvers in 1984. She treated all her elderly guests with respect, care and loving affection.

Visitation is on Tuesday, from 4pm - 8pm at the Mackey Funeral Home, 128 Main St., Middleton, MA. A funeral mass is to be celebrated for Kirsten on Wednesday at 9am, at the Saint Mary of the Annunciation Parish, 24 Conant St., Danvers, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations to the Lahey Clinic Foundation in Support of Neurology Movement Disorders, or the Visiting Nurse Hospice, VNA Middlesex East, 607 North Ave., Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880.