Michael and Zelena Winters didn't want to mince words.
Their daughter, 35-year-old Zaneta Winters, was killed at her home on North El Vista Avenue in Peoria on Aug. 11. A week and a half later, they were mourning her death publicly with a crowd at Arcadia Care in Peoria Heights. They asked people who wanted to help to show a bit of sympathy.
"I'm gonna tell you off the bat: We are not doing good," Michael said. "We're tired of explaining ourselves to people, what happened. It's good if you just text us."
The harsh reality of grief came in stark contrast to the serene release of balloons that came in Zaneta's memory Tuesday at the nursing home, where she worked as a certified nursing assistant. Friends, family and co-workers released purple and silver balloons into the blue-gray sky above, all while reflecting on the life of a person lost in unspeakable tragedy.
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A devoted health care worker and friend
"(She was) dedicated (and) devoted," said Erica Thomas, a fellow CNA at Arcadia Care. "She worked as a team player. She was awesome."
"(She was) smiling, kind (and) patient)," said Tye Calhoun, Arcadia's social services director.
Winters' boyfriend, Stevie A. Linwood, 43, has been charged with first-degree murder in her death, which stemmed from a domestic dispute between the two at their home. According to the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office , the pair were arguing over alleged infidelity when the situation turned violent.
As Winters tried to leave the house for help, Linwood allegedly shot her once.
A neighbor who got wind of the situation tried to help, but was shot by Linwood allegedly because he thought she was trying to run at him.
Linwood and Winters had a 5-year-old child who was also in the home at the time of the shooting.
Both women were found by Peoria police at around 8 p.m. that evening. Winters' died at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center the next day.
Winters' parents commented on the harsh nature of her death, with her father saying that domestic violence was a "powerful" thing and calling on people to stop committing violent acts.
"We really got to stop this domestic violence," Michael said. "We've got to step up hard, because she called the police more than five times and nothing happened."
He said that her alleged killer, Linwood, was now in the hands of a higher power as he awaits trial on murder charges.
"God knows what he's doing. God is in control," Michael said. "He is in God's hands now and she is, too."
'I lost a part of my soul'
Zelena said that her daughter's death had caused "a part of my soul to be ripped from my body." Even so, she wanted to focus on the lives that she had touched through her work and beyond.
"I mean, look at the response here," Zelena said. "That shows me that you cared about my little girl."
Calhoun and Thomas enlisted many of their employees to appear at the event, mainly as a way to keep the memory of their co-worker and their friend alive.
"We're just showing love and letting her know that her name will forever live (on)," Calhoun said. "We won't let her (memory) die down."
Winters' sister Bree Winters has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses. As of Wednesday afternoon, $6,800 had been raised for the Winters family.
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Winters' younger brother Ryu saw Zaneta as a loving big sister, one with a big sense of humor and a big personality.
"She had a big mouth," Ryu said. "She was the person who spoke the most in our family; she was our voice. It really pains me to have to go through this and see her go this early. I really miss her."
Upon hearing of his sister's death, Ryu shared the feelings of his mother that a piece of him had been taken from him and his family.
"I lost a part of my soul," Ryu said. "A part of my heart was missing."
Despite the circumstances that led to her death, Zaneta's younger brother said that she had a knack for uplifting those around and kept a good outlook on life.
"She was an uplifting person," Ryu said. "She would keep the mood going."
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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: 'I lost a part of my soul': Peoria shooting victim remembered as uplifting, devoted woman
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