Kristine Helen Zydel

VERNON — Kristine Helen Zydel, 49, died Wednesday June 22, 2016, at NMC Royal Hospital in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Kristine, daughter of George and Barbara (Elston) Zydel was born in Teaneck, on May 2, 1967. She lived in Hasbrouck Heights, and in the fourth grade her family moved to Vernon.
At an early age, she developed a passion for teaching preschool and working with children. While attending Vernon Township High School, she ran track and developed a passion for traveling. She graduated William Paterson University and began her pursuit of early childhood education and traveling around the world, where she made many friends in her travels. She taught in Franklin; Cairo, Egypt; Lexington, Mass.; Hong Kong, China; Tanzania, Africa; Kiev, Ukraine; and Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Throughout her career Kristine traveled to over 14 countries on five continents and attained a Master’s of Science in Child Development and Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College, and a Master’s of Science in Education and Early Childhood Leadership from Bank Street College of Education.
Kristine embodied a deep love for family, was outspoken for all that she believed in and was not afraid to challenge anyone on any issue. While Kristine was working and living in the Ukraine four years ago, she adopted her wonderful daughter Grace from Russia. Nothing meant more to her than her daughter Grace. As a single mom, she raised Grace in Kiev, Vernon and Abu Dhabi and opened her up to many different cultures all over the world. Grace is growing into a smart, curious and cultivated individual, just like her mother. Kristine cared for her nieces and nephew as if they were her own and inspired them to travel, learn and love.
Before moving to Abu Dhabi, Kristine worked at Bank Street College of Education in New York City for two years and participated in a monumental study that will nationally influence how the country will implement public preschool. As a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, godmother, granddaughter, student and teacher, she never failed to let her true love of teaching show in all the work she did. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Kristine is survived by her daughter, Grace; parents, George & Barbara Zydel of Vernon; brothers & sister, George Zydel Jr. and his wife Julie along with their children, Megan, Natalie and Sophia of Marshfield, Mass, Corrine Davidson and her husband Marc of Vernon and Bruce Zydel and his wife Laurie, along with their children, Jake and Allysun of Atlantic Highlands.
A memorial celebration of Kristine’s life will be held Sunday, July 24, 1-2:30 p.m., with a memorial service at 2:30 p.m., all to be held at Ferguson-Vernon Funeral Home, 241 Rt. 94 (GPS use 1 Vanderhoof Ct.), Vernon. Cremation was private in New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace’s Education Fund, c/o Corrine Davidson-5 Spyglass Hill #3-Vernon, NJ 07462, or to NJAEYC – PO Box 1024 – Barnegat Light, NJ 08006.