lagunabeachindy . com FEBRUARY 3 , 2023 15
FINDING MEANING :
Laguna a Blue Zone ?
Coast Community Hospital board , and the Saddleback Community College board . He also served in various positions at St . Catherine ’ s Catholic Church . Jackie served in the PTA , Junior League , and Ebell Club . When offered better jobs in larger cities , Louis thought staying in Laguna was a better life . The most remarkable thing was that Louis worked to the end of his life , ten days short of 100 , pioneering working from home at 92 .
Returning to the question , “ Could Laguna
be a Blue Zone ?” The answer really does seem to be , “ it depends on you .” Longevity arises from lifestyle choices , and you don ’ t even have to buy the book to live longer — the lives of Louis and Jackie Zitnik provide a perfect example . The best things in life really are free . As noted above , they passed within hours of each other , Jackie first , followed by her companion of almost 75 years . Together in life , they were together at their funeral . The priest , an old friend , said a nuptial mass as he explained they would be joined for
eternity in heaven after life together . Their obituary closed with a phrase from Psalms 31:28 : “ Her children , grandchildren , and great-grandchildren ‘ rise up and call her blessed ’”. There ’ s meaning in that .
Skip fell in love with Laguna on a ‘ 50s surfing trip . He ’ s a student of Laguna history and the author of “ Loving Laguna : A Local ’ s Guide to Laguna Beach .” Email : skip @ lovinglaguna . com .
By sKip helleWell
Did you notice an unusual item in last week ’ s “ Indy ”? There was a double obituary for Louis and Jackie Zitnik . Even more unusual , they lived to nearly 100 , were happily married for almost 75 years , and died within a day of each other . Their lives were so unusual it made me curious about their longevity in marriage and life .
On the theme of longevity , an article in another newspaper spoke of “ Blue Zones .” Places so healthful that unusual numbers of people live to be centenarians . Researchers found this in Okinawa , Japan ; the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica ; Ikaria , Greece ; and in Loma Linda , Calif . Dan Buettner wrote a best-seller , “ Blue Zones , 9 Lessons for Living Longer ,” describing nine common lifestyles of Blue Zones . Reading the article and being in no rush to die , I wondered if Laguna Beach couldn ’ t be a Blue Zone . The answer seemed to be , “ It depends on you .” Consider the lives of Louis and Jackie Zitnik , as told by their daughter Janet Seehusen .
Louis ’ parents immigrated to America from Slovenia in 1903 , marrying and settling in Omaha , Neb ., where he was an iron worker . The family was large and poor , and Louis contracted polio , which affected his leg . The family couldn ’ t afford medical care , but a doctor on Louis ’ newspaper route arranged for treatment through The March of Dimes . Louis later came to California seeking a college education , working his way through UCLA and UC Berkeley , where he completed a master ’ s degree in economics . A friend told of a stockbroker in Laguna Beach who might need an analyst , and Louis got a job here in 1947 . At Berkeley , Louis met his future wife Jackie , a third-generation Californian from Kern County with Pilgrim ancestors who date back to the “ Mayflower ” era . The couple married in 1949 , making their home mainly in Laguna Beach .
When asked to explain her parent ’ s longevity , daughter Janet listed lifestyle habits that resonated with the “ 9 Lessons for Living Longer ” from Buettner ’ s Blue Zones book : They ate a wholesome diet , exercised regularly , maintained a healthy weight , were faithful pillars at St . Catherine ’ s Catholic Church , served in the community , enjoyed a loving family , socialized with a group of close friends , and practiced moderation .
Louis ’ community service was exceptional . He served for six years on Laguna ’ s city council , the Laguna Beach County Water District board for 25 years , the South
GO GREEN LAGUNA .
Join the Laguna Beach Green Business Program Today !
WHAT IS IT ?
A Green Business voluntarily implements environmentally sustainable practices in areas like water conservation , waste reduction , energy efficiency and pollution prevention .
WHY GO GREEN ?
It ’ s free and you get on-site assistance , marketing benefits , and cost savings , all while meeting customer demand for green practices and environmental stewardship .
Enroll now at : greenbusinessca . org Contact Lisa Ryder at lisarydermoore @ gmail . com
WHAT ’ S IN IT FOR ME ?
Get local and statewide recognition for your business by participating in the Laguna Beach Green
or Liz Avila , Sr . Public Works Analyst , lavila @ lagunabeachcity . net , 949.497.0344
Business Certification Program .
Congratulations to our certified Green Businesses !
Make sure to stop by and support Laguna Beach ’ s Certified Green Businesses !