Mary Kay Zimmerman, 89, Mother of a Brecksville Councilwoman, Clerk of Council and Human Services Food Service Manager

Mary Kay Zimmerman, mother of six children, three of whom currently serve the city of Brecksville, volunteered at the on Thursdays from 2006-2010. 

“She worked alongside many other senior volunteers to set the tables and, after lunch, cleared the tables,” said her daughter Ann Hamski, food service manager for the program. “She enjoyed being part of this fabulous group of volunteers for more than four years.”

The Brecksville resident, who died April 30 at age 89, also worked at Brecksville election polls numerous times. She faithfully campaigned for her favorite political candidate, her daughter Nora Murphy, .

Mary Kay’s daughter Mary Scullin is the clerk of Brecksville council. Her daughter Kathy Walsh lives in Parma. Her son Leo Jr. calls Lakewood home.

Her son John, a resident of Atlanta, GA, is proud to say his daughter, Rory Byrne, is an English teacher in Beijing, China, and a frequent guest on programs produced by Beijing Radio.

Mary Kay was born Mary Catherine Byrne in Cleveland and grew up on East 71st Street near Harvard Avenue, the daughter of Bernard and Nora. Her father, Bernard Byrne, was a master plumber with Plumbers Union Local 55. 

Mary Kay, whose first job was placing filaments in light bulbs for General Electric, started dating Leo Zimmerman before graduating from Holy Name High School with the Class of 1939. They were married Dec. 27, 1941.

The newlyweds moved to Philadelphia, where Leo had found a job. A short time later, Leo enlisted in the Marine Corps and was shipped to Okinawa for service in World War II.

Leo later learned the plumbing trade from his father-in-law and worked for the City of Cleveland for many years.

The Zimmermans lived at Raymond Avenue and East 93rd Street in Cleveland before moving to Parma Heights in 1967. In 1979, Leo and Mary Kay moved to Brecksville. Within a few years, three of their daughters had followed.

“My mom was a woman of quiet dignity,” Ann Hamski said. “She had a deep faith, and her prayers were powerful. She had a very strong will to live. Even during her illness, she tried to participate in the events going on around her.” 

Mary Kay was a past officer of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and was affiliated with the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

According to her family, she was an excellent seamstress and knitter. She loved to read and solve only the most difficult crossword puzzles.

She learned to drive when she was 50 and took swimming exercise classes until she was almost 80. 

“She accepted hard times without complaining and rejoiced in the good times, which were many for our family,” Mary Scullin said. “Her greatest gift to her family was living her faith, teaching us how to pray and never taking life's blessings for granted.”

Her husband, Leo Sr., died in 1997. In addition to her children, survivors include 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Services were held at with arrangements by .

Donations may be made to Holy Family Home, 6707 State Rd., Parma, OH 44134.