Haruko “Kay” Zynel, née Murakami, a resident of Pennsville, NJ, died on March 1, 2019 after a short illness but many years of deteriorating health. She was 84.
Haruko was born to Masaichi and Mine Murakami, in Sapporo, Japan, the youngest daughter of five children. In 1957, she married Alfred F. Zynel, who was serving in the Army in Japan. After marrying, they moved to his hometown of Eckley, PA before living in Freeland, PA, and Bristol, PA, where she spent the majority of her life. There she worked at American Can and Giles & Ransome. After Alfred’s death (1985), Haruko eventually moved to Wilmington, DE to be closer to her daughters. There she worked at Country House until her retirement. She finally settled in Pennsville, NJ. Her grandson, Brian and his wife, Cheryl relocated 6 years ago to reside with and care for her when she could no longer live alone. Her great-granddaughter, Katana, was born 3 years later and was a joy to Haruko every single day.
She loved the shore. And food. And her cats. She used to take her family to the shore and Absegami Lake every summer and in her retirement always looked forward to her yearly birthday trips to Rehoboth Beach and family vacations at Long Beach Island. She enjoyed the dinners out at Rehoboth and the special family cooked meals at LBI.
She remained in close contact with her nieces in Japan, Kaoru Akioka and Harumi Kijima. Her great-niece, Nozomi Akioka, lived with her for several years while attending college to study English and Fashion Design in the US.
Haruko is survived by her three daughters: Constance Z. Jenkins (David), Mariann McKamey and Marie Zynel; five grandchildren: Heather McKamey, Dimitri McKamey, Brian A. Zynel (Cheryl Zynel, née Beebe), John Ketcham and Christopher Jenkins; and a great-granddaughter, Katana Zynel; her brother; sisters-in-law, Constance Knepper (Bob Hallahan) of Weatherly, PA, Anna Zynel of White Haven, PA, and Joann Zynel of Freeland, PA, and many nieces and nephews both in Japan and in the United States. She is also survived by her best friend, Fukue (“Fay”) Toyozato. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sisters, and brother.
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