Mary Angela Zimmer's Obituary
With a broken wing, she carried her dreams… and oh, how beautifully she flew.
Mary Angela Zimmer began her earthly journey 75 years ago, on October 2, 1950, in St. Clair, MI where her parents, Bur and Jeanne (Stockwell) Zimmer, welcomed their fifth child. On February 28, 2026, surrounded by the deep and tender love of her children, Mary gently spread her wings and continued her journey heavenward.
Mary became a mother while very young, growing up alongside her children and loving them with steady devotion. Once they were grown, she followed another calling that had long lived in her heart. She returned to school and became a Registered Nurse — because caring for others was never simply what she did, it was who she was.
She served many families in the Emergency Room at River District Hospital offering calm in moments of chaos and compassion in times of fear. Later, she shared her steady presence as a psychiatric nurse and manager at Harbor Oaks Hospital and Ascension St. John Hospital. Wherever she worked, people felt seen, heard, and safe in her care.
Mary had a lifelong love affair with words. Books were her constant companions, and crossword puzzles her quiet triumphs. She found peace outdoors, tending to her yard, feeling the sun on her face and the earth in her hands. Though she treasured time spent with family, she also found joy in the gentle hush of her own company. Her happiest place was simple and perfect: a beach chair, a good book, the sound of waves, and a cold Diet Coke within reach.
Of all the hats she wore, the ones she treasured most were these: devoted mother to Angela (Jon) VanCore, Andrea Flemming, and Woody Flemming; proud Grandma to Ryan (Stephanie Partlo) Terhune, Brandon Smith, Zach (Madeline) Morris, Hannah Morris, Jon VanCore, Nick (Becky) VanCore, and Autumn VanCore; delighted Gigi to Riley, Skylar, Alyssa, Aubrey, Carter, and Ellie; loving sister to her “sisties,” Kay Ann Geib and Pauline Stager; and beloved Aunt Mar to her many nieces and nephews.
Welcoming her home were her parents; her cherished grandson, Chad (Alicia Froias) Morris; her brother, Paul Zimmer; her sister, Shirley Boss; and brothers-in-law, Steve Boss and Dan Geib. One can only imagine the laughter when they were reunited.
It was Mary’s wish that no formal services be held. Instead, she would want you to honor her in the most Mary way possible: make someone laugh. Read a book. Finish a crossword puzzle. Sip a Diet Coke. Eat dessert first. Order the large ice cream. Say hello to a stranger.
She leaves behind a legacy stitched together with laughter, resilience, compassion, and happy memories.
With a broken wing she carried her dreams…
and, man, you ought to see her fly.
Arrangements by Young Funeral Home, China Twp. To leave a message of comfort visit https://www.youngcolonial.comcre
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