Pauline “Polly” Gasparovic

Pauline “Polly” Gasparovic, 99 of Seminole, FL, passed away on Monday, January 5,
2026.
She was one of two children born to Edna (Kriebel) and Hermann Zieschang on
October 20, 1926, in Columbus, OH. She spent much of her childhood on a large farm
in Sunbury, Ohio, and graduated from Sunbury High School in 1944. Music was central
in her life of study, activity, and joy. Polly played the accordion, piano, clarinet, and
violin. She fondly recalled playing at the local club for soldiers during WWII.
Polly studied at Capital University and Pietro Diero School of Music in New York City.
She was attending the Ohio State School of Music when she met and married Charles
Carter in 1947. They welcomed two sons, Shayne and Michael, while living in Sunbury.
Charles passed in 1963. Polly continued her studies at Otterbein College, receiving a
Master’s in Spanish. She married Steve Gasparovic in October 1964 and moved to
Saginaw, Michigan, with their combined household of six children.
Between 1974 and 1989, they relocated to Troy, Michigan, to Westerville, Ohio, and
then to Venice, Florida, after Steve’s retirement. They enjoyed their life filled with family,
friends, ballet, opera, art, and travel. They moved to Seminole in 2012 to live closer to
son Michael and daughter-in-law Barbara.
Polly was a talented home decorator, an excellent cook, a skilled seamstress, and a
queen of budget management. She had a sharp wit, shared her love of classical music
with everyone, and treasured her feline friend Tigger.
Polly is survived by sons Shayne (Mary Beth) Carter of Cat Spring, TX; Michael
(Barbara) Carter of Seminole, FL; Charles (Maria de Abajo) Gasparovic of Gijon, Spain;
daughters Catherine (Ken) Murray of Greenville, SC; Anita (Michael) Fick of Saginaw,
MI; Carolyn (Tom) Rainbolt of Greeley, CO; grandchildren Paula, Richard, Michelle,
Sarah, Vanessa, Nicole, Samantha, Taylor, Tessa and Gerald; 11 great-grandchildren
and nephew Bob Zieschang of Middleburg, Florida.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Steve, and her brother and his
wife, Ralph and Thelma Zieschang.
A family graveside service will be held in early spring at Bay Pines National Cemetery.