Kathleen "Kathy" E. Zimmerman

Kathy was born on September 9, 1950 in Hazleton, PA to the late Michael and Catherine (Kulig) Kowalski. On September 16, 1972 she married John Evans Zimmerman. They were the parents of two children, Jill and Matthew Zimmerman. She received her teaching degree from Penn State University in 1972 and her Master’s degree from Youngstown State University in 1980. She was a loving and passionate educator for 29 years, impacting numerous lives of students. She taught at various Youngstown, Ohio schools including Easter Seals, Chaney High School, and ended her career teaching Early Childhood Education at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center. In addition to being a teacher, she also had a successful tax business which helped her connect to many friends in the community.

Kathy loved living life, she was always up for trying new things. She could be found doing art projects at Wonderstruck with her friends, the Mermaids, attending Drums Alive classes, participating in swimming aerobics at the Ursuline Motherhouse, hosting tailgates for Penn State football games, volunteering at the Big Reach Center of Hope, doing puzzles, reading, taking walks, and baking. She was known for her infectious smile, kindness, generous heart, and positivity.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents the late Michael and Catherine (Kulig) Kowalski, her brother Ray Kowalski, her sister Dolores Gattine, her brother-in-law Edward Gattine, her brother-in-law Louis Beltrami, and her brother-in-law John Burns. She is survived by her husband of 47 years John Zimmerman, her daughter Jill Zimmerman, Novi, MI, her son Matthew Zimmerman (Rachel), Youngstown, OH, her grandson John Placco, soon-to-be twin grandsons, her sisters Elaine Beltrami, Drums, PA and Janet Burns, Poughkeepsie, NY, her sister-in-law Nancy Kowalski, Conyngham, PA, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A private funeral service will be held for the immediate family at Lane Funeral Home with a graveside service to follow in Drums, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Melina Michelle Edenfield Foundation P.O. Box 34 Canfield, OH 44406.