THE DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL
Daytona Beach, Florida
August 17, 2016

Sophie L. Zabas, 74, of Palm Coast, died peacefully, Aug. 12, 2016, at her residence.

Ms. Zabas was born Jan. 29, 1942, in Lazdijai, Lithuania, a daughter of Pranas and Monika (Skripka) Beinoras. At the age of 8, her family immigrated to the United States, coming through Ellis Island and settling in Chicago.

After graduating high school, she worked as a bookkeeper for several years. She raised her family on Long Island, N.Y., before moving to Palm Coast in 1989. Sophie was a retired librarian with the Flagler County Library and receptionist with Flagler County.

She was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. Sophie also enjoyed traveling to lighthouses, botanical gardens and wineries and occasionally playing bingo and slot machines.

She married her husband of 30 years, Joseph Zabas Sr., on June 3, 1961. He died April 14, 1992.

She is survived by her loving companion of 23 years, George E. Hanns, of Palm Coast; children Monica (Kurt Kiefer) Zabas, of Palm Coast; Joseph (Josephine) Zabas Jr., of Deer Park, N.Y.; Jennifer (Matthew) Barker, of Palm Coast, Mathew Zabas, of Encinitas, Calif., Nancy Hanns (Frank McPartlin), of Elmwood Park, Ill., George Hanns, of Daytona Beach; sisters Virginia Pawlowski, of Massapequa, N.Y., and Monika Stankaitis, of Illinois; grandchildren Christina Zabas, Joseph Zabas III, Crystal Zabas, Amanda Zabas, Angela Zabas, Caitlyn Zabas, Samantha Barker, Abigail Barker, Mya Barker, Miranda Tomek and Lillian McPartlin; great-grandchildren Tevin Galvin Jr. and Aubrey Galvin.

Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home, 511 Old Kings Road South, Flagler Beach.

 

THE PALM COAST OBSERVER
Palm Coast, Florida
Tuesday, August 23, 2016

County Commissioner George Hanns mourns longtime life partner Sophie Zabas
The couple were together for more than 23 years
By Jonathan Simmons

County Commissioner George Hanns’ life partner of more than 23 years, Sophie Zabas, died Friday, Aug. 12, at the age of 74 after a battle with ovarian cancer.

Hanns returned to his seat at the commission the following Monday, Aug. 15, saying that in doing so he was honoring Zabas’ memory.

Of his years on the County Commission, he said, “I attribute most of it to Sophie motivating me to do good and help people.” 

Zabas enjoyed botanical gardens and wine tastings and occasionally played slot machines, Hanns said. 

“She was a happy, funny lady that cared about others, and her memory will keep me motivated,” he said. “I’m honored to have shared 23 years with a wonderful lady who cared about me as much as I cared about her.”

Zabas was born in Lithuania and immigrated to the U.S. with her family when she was 8.

She worked at the Flagler County Library as a librarian and was a member of the member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.

She was married to Joseph Zabas Sr. for 30 years before his death in 1992.

A service was held for her Aug. 19 at Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home.