The Rev. Mary Magovern Zimmerman, 79, died at her home on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, only three weeks after being diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.
A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m. at First Congregational Church in Westfield, MA. A private interment will be held at the Otis Center Cemetery.
The Rev. Zimmerman was born Feb. 11, 1939, in Springfield, MA, the daughter of the late John and Dorothy (Bodurtha) Magovern. She married the Rev. Dr. Roger W. Zimmerman, formerly of Harvel, and he survives.
The Rev. Zimmerman earned a bachelor of science degree from Boston University and continued her education at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, Union Theological Seminary in New York City where she met her husband, and Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, MA, where she received a master’s degree in religious education.
She was ordained as a minister within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1975 and later received accreditation as a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. During her tenure, she served churches in Newton Centre, MA, Washington, D.C., Bloomington, Corvallis, OR, Louisville, KY and Lynchburg, VA. She had an extraordinary gift of giving children’s sermons.
The Zimmermans enjoyed retirement for the past 16 years at their home on Big Pond in East Otis, MA. In 2017, they began enjoying the winter months at Reed’s Landing in Springfield, MA.
The Rev. Zimmerman was gifted with a quick wit, kindness and especially hospitality and a welcoming spirit. She treasured time spent with her family, and especially enjoyed playing Scrabble.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Rev. Dr. Roger W. Zimmerman formerly of Harvel; her son, Mark (Robin) Zimmerman of Lynchburg, VA; daughters Kathryn (Jeff Fligelman) Zimmerman of Redding, CT and Mary Beth (John) Whittle of Louisville, KY; grandchildren Meghan Zimmerman, Ben Fligelman, Jack, Kate and Anna Whittle; her two brothers, Robert (Peggy) Magovern of Agawam, MA and Charlie (Florence) Magovern of Boulder, CO and two sisters-in-law, Lois Magovern of Massachusetts and Martha Zimmerman of Harvel.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Jack, and her sister, Marjorie Greenough.
Memorials are suggested to First Congregational Church WARM (Welcoming Assistance Refuge Ministries), 18 Broad Street, Westfield, MA 01085, as a tribute to her faith and passion for helping others and her devotion to resettlement of refugees. Condolences may be left at www.forastiere.com.
