Michalene Frances Zaleski

Michalene Frances Zaleski

1946 – 2024

Michalene (Mickey) Zaleski passed away peacefully in her home on October 19, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Mickey was born February 8, 1946, in Chicago, Il to Raymond and Helen Bukowski. Mickey had 3 siblings. Older sister Carol (Bob) Treder, older brother John (Patricia) Bukowski, and younger sister Susie (Ray) Skortz. Mickey is survived by her husband Kenneth, daughter Margaret (Harry) Johnson, son Ken Jr. (Laura) and grandson Caleb Johnson.

Mickey graduated from Saint Stanislaus High School in Chicago 1963, which was also the year she met the love of her life Kenneth on a blind date. After that she would go to beauty school to become a hair stylist.

Mickey and Ken were married on October 31, 1965, in Chicago, Il. Soon after that she would stop working as she became pregnant with her daughter Margaret and three years later son Ken Jr. was born.

One of Mickey’s greatest attributes had to be how selfless she was and how she deeply cared for others. A great example of this was in June 2002 her son Ken Jr. was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Mickey would travel back and forth between Oklahoma City and Chicago to help care for Ken Jr. when he was going through his Chemo Treatments. She did this for six months. The following year daughter Margaret would deliver Mickey’s grandchild Caleb. Mickey went to Indiana and stayed with Margaret for six weeks to help care for Caleb.

Mickey also had quite the outgoing personality. She had no problem striking up a conversation with even a stranger. She had the marvelous ability to make people feel good about themselves. Mickey was also deeply dedicated to her volunteer work at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond. Ok. There she would meet some wonderful people, many of whom would become her best friends. She would also at times do the church linens which almost got accidentally thrown in the garbage by husband Ken Sr. which is a whole other story for another time.

One of Mickey’s and Ken’s favorite things to do during their free time was traveling. Whether it was cruising the oceans, looking at the glaciers of Alaska or touring the beautiful Islands of Hawaii to name just a few of the places they visited.

Mickey will truly be missed by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to consider making a donation in Mickey’s Memory to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation by visiting alzinfo.org.

Family will be present to greet friends between 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 28, 2024, before services.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 28, 2024, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

3 thoughts on “Michalene Frances Zaleski”

  1. Mom, I miss you so much already. You could always make me feel better even during the toughest of times. You were always such a breath of fresh air for those lucky enough to come into contact with you. You were a lady who could make even the most mundane of events seem fun. You were a protector of the family. I still remember when one of my fourth grade teachers decided to keep me after school the day after I had been sick because I didnt do the homework assignment from that day I missed. Needless to say you were not happy with the teacher who will go nameless at this time and you had a few things to say to said teacher. She never looked at me in a bad way after that. A shrinking violet you were not. You handled probably the toughest job somebody could have. You ran the household and were responsible for keeping Margaret and me in check. You were wonderful.

    Love forever,

    Kenny Jr.

  2. Billye Ann Blum

    My Cousin Mickey was the best. Even though she was 5 years older than me I remember her as a fun and vivacious person. I was so sorry to hear of her passing but know that she is now with her wonderful parents, grandparents, all her aunts and uncles, and the cousin who predeceased her.
    May God bless her and keep her.
    Cousin Billye Ann JAskula Blum

  3. Mom, you are my best friend and I miss you so much. You always wanted to make sure that we were taken care of and never worried about yourself. There was never a time in my life that you weren’t watching out for me. When Caleb came along we were talking about me having to go back to work. You didn’t hesitate and said move to Oklahoma and I will watch Caleb. That was one of the best decisions we made. You were a major part of raising Caleb while I worked and he has become a fine young man. You gave up a lot while watching him, but I know you enjoyed every minute with him. This is just one example of your thousands of selfless acts.

    I will love you forever!!
    Your daughter, Margaret

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