January 24, 1931 ~ September 15, 2023
92 Years Old
Obituary
Barbara Ann Zielger, 92 of Nacogdoches, passed away peacefully surrounded by family members on Friday, September 15, 2023 in Nacogdoches.
Christian Mass service will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, September 22, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Visitation for Barbara will be from 5:00-7:00, Thursday, September 21, 2023 at Laird Funeral Home with Rosary to follow at 7:00 pm.
Barbara (Fifi) was born on January 24, 1931 in Opelousas, Louisiana to the late Wilfred Sylvester and Oliva LaFleur. She was raised by a devout Catholic family and her strong belief and values never wavered.
Barbara married the love of her life, Dr. Anthony Ziegler Jr. on August 23, 1952 in Opelousas, Louisiana. She was a loving devoted wife for 58 years.
Barbara knew early in life that she wanted to be a nurse. She entered nursing school at the age of sixteen. Barbara received her Registered Nursing degree from Our Lady of the Lake College in 1950. While working at Charity Hospital of Lafayette, Barbara delivered over 1100 babies.
After spending time in New Orleans as her husband completed his doctrine, Barbara and Tony moved to Vandalia, Missouri in 1961. She served as both office manager and nurse for his small family country practice.
In 1973, she and Tony moved the family to Conroe, Tx. She continued her nursing at Doctors Hospital working in the Labor & Delivery/Nursery, in addition to serving as night supervisor. She worked nights to be home for her husband and children during the day. Barbara retired from nursing after 35 years.
Not only did Barbara love delivering babies, but she also had eight of her own. She is survived by seven of her children, Paul Gregory, Karen Michelle, Lisa Carol, Karl Michael, Anthony III, Barbara Ann and Angelique. In addition, Barbara (FiFi) is survived by 3 sons-in-law and 4 daughters-in-law, Barry Chandler, Kevin Brunson, David Beckwith, Cathy Ziegler, Alison Ziegler, Cindy Ziegler and Kristi Ziegler. FiFi had 20 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
She loved traveling with her husband and children whether just a family trip back home, a trip to the beach or traveling abroad. She loved to bask in the sun. Coming from a large family herself, she anxiously waited for every family gathering. She found great joy with her plants and flowers till they took over her kitchen and family room. When Barbara needed an escape, she delighted in crafting her ceramics. Her attention to detail and craftsmanship was cherished by all.
Barbara (FiFi) LOVED her holidays. As adult children, we regularly joked that Easter, Halloween and Christmas had exploded in her house; sometimes overlapping. Every bookshelf, countertop, table and furniture surface were draped in holiday seasonal décor. Christmas was probably her favorite. We would find a Santa or snowman every time we turned around. Holidays brought immense joy to Barbara (FiFi).
In addition to her parents, Wilfred and Olivia Sylvester, she was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony (Pops); son, John Cedric; brother, Wilfred Sylvester and sisters, Rose Roberts, Mary Pitre and Dolores Cormier.
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