The closest person to a saint we know - Zita Prendergast died on September 21, 2012. She was the youngest of nine children and was born with her twin sister Freda on June 5, 1918, in Sainte Marie, Illinois to Joseph and Appolonia. Zita graduated from Newton High School and was a homecoming attendant.

Zita later moved to Chicago, worked as a secretary and married Francis E. Prendergast on May 23, 1942. She spent the next 23 years in the service of our nation as the wife of an Army NCO assigned to posts in Maryland, Kentucky, Washington State, Georgia, Panama, and Germany. She retired with her husband to Port Charlotte in 1965 where she was an active member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. As a lifelong devoted Catholic and Eucharistic Minister, she provided the Eucharist to many sick and homebound parish members throughout the area.

Zita was known for her listening ear and caring, compassionate nature. She leaves behind a legacy of practical jokes and a spirited sense of humor.

She is survived by her sons Michael (Jeri), Joseph (Dee), James (Phyllis), eight grandchildren (Mark, John, Trisha, Sara, Sean, Juli, Eva, and Greg) three great-grandchildren (Wyatt, Brady and Addison), longtime friend Trudy Smith and numerous nieces and nephews including Frank Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida.

The family would like to thank all of her friends for their support and love throughout the years. She was blessed to have known you.

She was preceded in death by her husband and her siblings.

A funeral Mass will be held in Port Charlotte at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church Tuesday October 2, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. Donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice, 1144 Veronica St., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.

Arrangements are by ICS of Port Charlotte, Fla.