Mary Beth (Anderson) Zimmerman

MARY BETH (ANDERSON) ZIMMERMAN, 46, of Wellsburg, WV, loving, caring, generous, and faithful wife, daughter, sister, and friend vanquished cancer and earned her heavenly reward on Sunday, December 4, 2022. Mary was a 1995 graduate of Catholic Central High School, and in 1999, earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Following graduation, Mary started her professional career in Christian Outreach at Franciscan, and in 2008 assumed the position of Associate Director of Alumni Relations which she currently held at the time of her passing. Topsail Beach was her favorite destination, and she and her husband, Tony Zimmerman were married there on July 22, 2006. To know her was to love her. She will forever stay in our hearts and minds. Mary centered her life around three great core values: Faith, Family, and Friends. She was deeply rooted in the Catholic faith instilled by her parents. Though she suffered greatly, she was always focused on relieving the suffering of others. In fact, it was while she herself was undergoing chemotherapy that she got the idea for Port-side Treatment Totes, gift bags for chemotherapy patients, containing personally curated comfort items like neck pillows, blankets, socks, puzzles, and personal care products – all of course perfectly color-coordinated! She collected items and donations and assembled the bags, which she distributed to Weirton Medical Cancer Center. In 2018, she was recognized as a Community Star with a special recognition award and dinner. A special thanks to Dr Santebennur and the staff in the Oncology dept that treated Mary during her treatments. Mary was an amazing cook and a wonderful baker; everything she made was picture-perfect and tasted divine. Breakfast was her favorite meal, and as a biscuit connoisseur, her perfect morning would undoubtedly include a McDonald’s bacon-egg & cheese biscuit and a diet coke. She was a fashion icon with a flair for decorating and adored nothing so well as a carefully thought-out, themed gift basket. Mary had a great love in her heart for Notre Dame football and her Franciscan family at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where as assistant director of Alumni Relations, she oversaw many wonderful events which she lovingly planned to perfection. These two loves coincided in 2015 when the University hosted the great Notre Dame coach, Lou Holtz as a speaker for commencement. Mary is survived by her loving husband, Tony, her parents James and Esther Anderson, eight siblings Peggy (John) Skulich, Julie (Richard) Rusnak, Esther (Shawn) Morris, Jim (Patty) Anderson, Tim (Heather), Rose (Kurt) Zende, Terry (Deanna), and Christine (Anthony) Falbo. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, John (wife Christyna & daughter Camlynn), Daniel, David, Eric, and Kevin Skulich; Joe (wife TIffany and children Alyssa and Logan), Jenny (husband Morris and sons Anthony, Justin, Christian, and Aiden), and Jessie (husband Andrew and children Maddox and Presley); Ryan (wife Alex & son Rory), Erin, Meghan, Shannon, and Sean Morris; Christopher, Colleen, Cassidy, and Caia Anderson; Elizabeth, Tim, Patrick, and Teddy Anderson; Ava, Alaina, Faith, Sara, and Zack Zende; Abbey, Noah, and Nicklaus Anderson; and Julia and A.J. Falbo, as well as her many Anderson, Rainelli, Horell, Flynn, Moyer, and Luddy cousins, and by Carol Krynicki, Alan (Marta) Stig, Christina (Gene) Kelley-Taylor, Ashley (Tim) Miles, Keirston Kelley (Marcus) and many members of the Meade family (Aunt Cassie, Aunt Peggy, Aunt Judy, Aunt Nell, Uncle Rondall, Uncle Bill, Uncle Jack, Cousin Debbie, and Julie and so many more that loved her till the end). Also left to grieve her loss are best friends Lisa Cucarese, Stephanie Crust, Kristin Crawford, and Jennifer Benner. Mary’s cats, Rudy McDudey, Callie, and Bailey also held a special place in her heart and greatly comforted her during her many treatments. Mary was preceded in death by her grandparents Bill and Esther Luddy, and Rose and Frank Anderson, and more recently by in-laws, Betty Zimmerman and Fond Meade. The family would like to thank all of her many friends, family, and Franciscan coworkers who have supported her and prayed for her without ceasing throughout her illness and recurrence. Your prayers and support have formed an umbrella of love and protection over our entire family that has been such a comfort to us in our time of sorrow. Donations may be made to “The Franciscan University of Steubenville – Mary Zimmerman Memorial” in lieu of flowers. A funeral mass will be held later at Christ the King Chapel at Franciscan University followed by a celebration of Mary’s life. Arrangements for Mary’s Celebration of Life are pending and will be updated at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Mullenbach Funeral Home, Follansbee.