Halchen Zingg, 93, died July 11 after a lengthy illness.
By:Amanda Bok
"Your love of life is contagious, and I caught it," said Allen Zingg.
Mr. Zingg read from a card he sent his mother for Mother’s Day during a memorial service for her. But the words summarized the way many felt about one of the Cranbury’s oldest and best-known residents, Halchen Mohn Zingg.
Ms. Zingg, 93, died July 11 after a lengthy illness. She was a resident of Cranbury for the past 54 years. The service was held at the First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury on Saturday.
The mood was bittersweet as community members, family, neighbors and friends who had traveled across the nation gathered to reminisce, sometimes with a reflective chuckle, and to bid their mournful goodbyes. Mr. Zingg read from the Mother’s Day card he sent earlier this year because he said it best described how he felt.
The card showed a boy on a "potty seat" and the inscription read "Thank you for all you taught me," he said. In reality, his mother taught him more than just the basics, he added.
Mr. Zingg thanked his mother for the "sense of safety and care" she ingrained in their family, for the lesson to befriend people from different cultures and backgrounds, and for demonstrating the importance of caring.
"Thank you for teaching me the immeasurable worth of every human being. It was a priceless lesson," he read from the card.
Mr. Zingg wasn’t the only one to comment on his mother’s boundless energy, love of life and generous friendship.
The service attracted a full room of people who listened, cried, laughed and prayed. Some reminisced fondly, sometimes sharing an old joke. Others struggled to swallow a bitter tear.
Granddaughter Alison Zingg struggled to say, "I loved her" before choking up and sitting back down.
Great-granddaughter Hannah Bindig, a seventh-grader who referred to Ms. Zingg as "Oma," couldn’t attend the service, but sent a letter that her aunt, Rebecca Ellery, read.
"I guess when life hands you a flower like Oma, cherish it before it wilts away," Hannah wrote.
Many in attendance spoke of Ms. Zingg’s younger years. Some had met her when they were children playing in the Zingg household.
Cranbury resident Greg Mayer said as a little child he regularly wandered into the Zingg household whose doors were always open to play with her six children.
"I didn’t learn to knock until I was 5," he said, and many in the audience released a knowing chuckle.
A former neighbor, Cameron, who didn’t give his last name, drove the audience to tearful laughter as he explained that every day was better than Disney World in the Zingg household. Every day, children ran around in grease paints and costumes they had found in the attic. Ms. Zingg instilled everything with such fun, he said.
Others shared anecdotes about Ms. Zingg in her older years, when she continued to be joyful and energetic.
Cranbury resident Claire Maselli said she met Ms. Zingg five years ago over a game of Trouble that made them laugh, talk and become friends. Ms. Maselli said they had so much in common, she felt they somehow belonged to each other.
"I had five children. She beat me by one, but that’s because she had twins," she said, arousing a spontaneous chuckle in the church.
"I just want you to know," she told the audience in a quiet, sad tone, "that she loved her family and she loved me. And for that I thank you, Halchen. See you again."
Ms. Zingg left lasting impressions on her community by actively participating in many community events. She was a camp counselor for several years and a leader for the Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury, where she taught the church’s nursery school and participated in many of its activities.
"Today we celebrate a life well lived," said the Rev. Louis J. Mitchell on Sunday. "A life that was full and rich in many dimensions."
Ms. Zingg also is remembered for being physically active despite her old age. She swam at the YMCA with friends every Wednesday for more than 45 years and could often be seen walking throughout Cranbury.
Mr. Mayer recalled seeing her walking during the blizzard of 1992.
"She was the only one out there," he said, chuckling.
After a reflective pause he added, "She is the sum total, I think, of the best of all of us, and we will miss her a lot."
Ms. Zingg has been described as loyal, optimistic, warm, hospitable, caring, welcoming and supportive by her friends and family.
"The world is a better place because Halchen was in it. I shall miss you Hal," said Cranbury resident Robert Meyers.