Obituary of Sheila A. Zwicki

Sheila A. Zwicki, 93, of Iowa City, died peacefully in her home, Wednesday May 11th. Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM, Wednesday May 18th, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, with burial to follow at Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00PM, Tuesday May 17th, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Sheila’s memory. Online condolences may be sent via www.gayandciha.com. Sheila Collins was born April 27th, 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 February 29th, 1948, and settled in Iowa City. They were married May 1st, 1949, at A Little Bit of Heaven, in Davenport. Sheila worked as a nurse at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, and then for twenty 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; foster-daughter Patty (Don) Frederick, of Hampton, VA; granddaughter Krista Fox (Wayne) Kube, and great-grandchildren Mya, Bradyn, and Kyan, all of Arlington, MN; 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; Carl, in 2006; her brother Donald (Ron) Collins; and her sister, Mary Bird. Never has there been a kinder, more loving soul than Sheila.