Pan Zelenak's ALS Story.

Pan Zelenek's life was full of adventure and excitement. That all changed the day she was diagnosed with ALS. In only 18 months her once active body was reduced to a virtual prison. While the disease has raveged her body it has left a fully aware mind behind. This is the story of her struggle and how she refuses to be defeated.

Pan Denger Zelenak September 2, 1941 - June 24, 2010




Pan was a retired Miami Dade County school teacher and a member of Mensa. She was a dedicated teacher and a treasured friend to her family and others around her.

She spent her lifetime enjoying nature. You could find her scuba diving, exploring the Everglades, hiking on glaciers, white water rafting, fishing, swimming and repelling off cliffs. While teaching, she sponsored field trips to the Everglades for her students and their families to share the beauty of Florida's Sea of Grass. Many of her summers were spent in Kennicott, Alaska exploring the abandoned mining town and walking on the glacier.

Pan was never a person to give up on anything! When she was diagnosed with ALS in 2007, she fought it every step of the way with the help of her wonderful caregivers, Margaret Ross and Judy Thomas. She shared secret recipes so she could eat her favorite foods; directed friends and family in craft projects even though her body refused to move. When she could no longer type or speak, she invented a paper keyboard so she could blink to indicate letters to keep the lines of communication flowing. When doctors told her certain things were impossible, she would always find a way to prove them wrong. Today we see her free to be herself once again.

She is now the guardian angel of her children Kara Jane Zelenak of Kendall Lakes, Kristin Eaton and husband Dave of Niceville, FL, Thomas Zelenak and wife Maria of Palmetto Bay; her grandchildren JD and Alex Eaton, Zachary and Zoie Zelenak, Michael and Douglas Carrillo; her sisters Toni Moore of Kendall Lakes, Jo Kirkwood of Anchorage, Alaska; her brothers Jay Denger of Royal Palm Beach, FL and Kirk Denger of Little Rock, Arkansas; her many nieces and nephews; her long time love and travelling companion, Hugh Andison and all of her friends.

As per Pan's wishes, there will be no formal services but she wishes that you will celebrate her life through your special memories because she was an incredibly special person and SHE DID IT HER WAY!

In lieu of flowers Pan would like all donations be made to:

MDA 1280 SW 36 Avenue Suite 303 Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Memo Pan Zelenak or www.MDA.org

or

ALS Clinic St. Catherine's 1050 NE 125 Street Miami, FL
Memo Pan Zelenak or www.catholichealthservices.org

or

National Park Foundation 1201 Eye Street NW Suite 550B Washington, DC 20005
Memo Pan Zelenak or www.nationalparks.org

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• ALS
• MDA
• Pan Zelenak
• Maladie de Charcot
• Lou Gehrig's Disease
• Muscular Dystrophy

[AProudGatorMom]

Pan was a terrific and very smart lady. She was a great listener and was very positive and full of energy . She had time for all. I know her family is grieving and missing her . Prayers ... a teacher at BTree and friend ...

[djagonase]

I am a former student of Mrs. Zelenak at Bent Tree Elementary school. I was a shy, frightened immigrant when I first became her student. I can't tell you how much her encouragement meant to me; her influence was life-changing. I just wanted to let her family know how much she was loved.

[Jagovern143]

Hope all is well with Mrs. Zelenek. God bless you all. My mission in life is to raise awareness about ALS in order to find a cure! I can tell you and I understand, everyday with our brother, Jim, we counted as a blessing. Keep the faith! Thanking you for sharing your story!

[peaceloveandmusic]

Kara, I am glad to see you and your family are strong and I hope our support will keep you strong for the battle ahead. It is wonderful to see the positive adventurer still in Pan's eyes. Illness takes the body but not the soul!