Sheila Ellen Zieger

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sheila Ellen Zieger (nee Connor) of Highlands Ranch, CO, formerly of Rockaway and Clifton, NJ.

Sheila passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 while receiving the loving care of her family.  She was born in Hackensack NJ, raised in Lyndhurst, NJ and was one of three children to Eugene and Evelyn Connor.   As a young woman, Sheila left school early and accepted a position as assistant manager at a clothing store in Rutherford, NJ where her mother was store manager.  Sheila worked alongside her mom for about two or three years. One night while Sheila was at a German Dance Hall in Lyndhurst, she met a handsome young man by the name of Herbert Zieger.  Herbert and Sheila started dating and as fate would have it, they fell in love and became husband and wife.  The newlyweds honeymooned in Niagara Falls then settled Clifton, NJ. 

While residing in Clifton, the couple welcomed the births of their four children, Paula, Bruce, Herbert, and Eric.  Shortly after the birth of her first child.  Sheila decided that she would become a full-time homemaker, dedicating her life to raising and caring for her family.  For many years she worked alongside her husband Herbert at his Plumbing business, Zieger Plumbing and Heating in Clifton, as a secretary and bookkeeper. 

Helping her husband with the family business and raising four children did not leave much spare time for Sheila to pursue any hobbies.  This was not a concern for Sheila because her true passion in life was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Sheila than spending time with her children and grandchildren.  Sheila and Herbert cherished a loving and loyal marriage for more than sixty-five years until Herbert’s passing in July of 2021.  Sheila was not only dedicated to her family but also to her Christian Faith.  While living in Clifton, Sheila and her family were very active members of Calvary Baptist Church.  For many years after, Sheila and Herbert were members of Preakness Baptist church in Wayne. She was also a member of the Women’s Circle and a prayer group while living at the Fox Hills at Rockaway.

Sheila treasured their family vacations to the Poconos, their trips to Villa Roma Resort in the Catskill Mountains area of upstate New York, as well as camping and boating.  Sheila was a quiet and private lady who loved her family deeply and was able to make friends wherever she went.  She will be forever remembered as a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  She touched the lives of everyone around her and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Sheila is survived by her four children; Paula L. Van Gurp and her husband Karl of Ohio, her son Bruce Zieger and his wife Allison of Highlands Ranch, CO, her son Herbert Zieger, Jr. and his wife Laura of Lincoln Park, NJ, and Eric Zieger and his wife Barbara of Clifton, NJ, six grandchildren; Michelle Van Gurp, Nicole Kilfoile and her husband Pat, Herbert Zieger III, Vincent Zieger, Meghan Zieger, and Eric Zieger, and two great grandchildren; Mason and Thomas.  She was predeceased by her brother Steve Connor and her sister Jean Koppel.