RUMFORD — It is with heavy heart that the family of Marie-Louise “Mary-Lou” Zinck announces her passing from this world to a better world. She died on Friday, March 31, at the Rumford Community Home with her loving husband, Henry, by her side.

Born in Soissons, France, on Nov. 13, 1932, she was a daughter of Leon and Irene (Sabattier) LeComte. Mary-Lou was the middle child with her brother, Roger and Alan. As a young girl, during World War II, Mary-Lou was orphaned as her mother was taken from her by the Nazis. She was under the care of the Catholic nuns until the age of 15. She then left for Paris and worked as a housekeeper and a cook.

At the age of 20, she met the love of her life, Henry Zinck in Soissons, France, and they were married on Dec. 22, 1954, in France. Together, they had two children, Catherine and Phillip and Mary-Lou took the job of homemaker and mother. They made their home in Rumford. Later, she proudly worked as a housekeeper at the Rumford Hospital. She was well-known for being a wonderful cook, especially her French bread and her spotless home.

Mary-Lou’s passions were flowers, gardening, singing, France, friends and family, and shopping. Marylou was born in France, but one of her prouder moments was becoming a U.S. citizen in Portland on April 8, 1996.

Survivors include her husband, Henry of Rumford; a daughter, Cathy Peterson and husband, Edward, of Saco and their children, Eric Peterson of Belmont, Mass., Michael Peterson and his fiancée, Ashley MacDonald of Old Orchard Beach; a son, Philip Zinck and his partner, Sue Mills, of Rumford and his son, Zachary, of Rumford; and a former daughter-in-law, Kelly Martin of Rumford; and numerous nieces and nephews. She will now be reunited with her mother.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Rumford Community Home for their loving care and kindness shown to Mary-Lou.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com.

Marie-Louise Zinck