By Peter Roos
Zelda Troiano was a special woman. We were introduced by Richard Seviur, a veteran weather forecaster from the second war, and fellow publisher who had started newspapers for several local communities, including Feather Sound, Davis Island and Tierra Verde. At the time, Richard was a healthy 90- something year-old, who was working on a book with a working title “How to stay healthy to 100 years old.”
He was researching at the St. Pete Beach Library, where he had recruited a volunteer to type his handwritten manuscript. Richard and I were friends and colleagues, and Richard raved about what a treasure Zelda was on several occasions. As she was completing his manuscript, Richard turned Zelda over to me, saying she needed a new project. That was the best thing Richard ever did for us. We met in March, and Zelda enthusiastically accepted the challenge of updating the Paradise NEWS Arts & Leisure and Events section each issue, starting in April 2017.
Over the ensuing months and years, as Zelda’s long-time husband declined and passed away, her three daughters, Amy, Emily and Liz, each visited at least annually. COVID-19 came and went, changing everything. She celebrated her 76th birthday in February and Zelda turned in her “column” religiously, right on schedule. Last month, on March 21, 2021, Zelda turned in her April column saying, “someone else needs to do the proof my column this month. I’ve been feeling lousy all month and I am going in the hospital for a few days to find out why.” When I emailed to ask how she was a few days later, her daughter Amy answered. She was not doing well. They had to stabilize her just to do a biopsy. She was soon diagnosed with liver cancer that had spread, and before the month was over, she was gone. Amy told me her folks made a courageous move to Florida in the mid-eighties, to satisfy dad’s dream to live on the water. They loved it here. “Just Another Day In Paradise” was practically their motto.
After Zelda retired as a guidance counselor, she wanted to stay busy and volunteered with the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Amy had been a page at the library during high school, and her sisters
followed her footsteps. Zelda followed their example too.
It led her into her work with Paradise NEWS. The girls all agree that was a blessing for Zelda and the whole family. “When we came to visit, Mom knew EVERYTHING that was going on in the entire area, and we benefitted from that knowledge. Her work ethic never faltered. Even at 75, she would say “I need some time to work on my column.”
The universe seems to bring us the people we need when we need them. This is our acknowledgement to the contributions of Zelda Troiano over the past four years. Rest in peace Zelda. We love you.