Kathryn Theresa Zimmerman

Kathryn Theresa Zimmerman, 77, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away on Monday, October 7, 2024, the date of her 57th wedding anniversary.

Born on November 18,1946, in Los Alamos, NM, Kathy was a daughter of the late Isabelle Dukeman-McGurk and Colonel Donald J McGurk.

Kathy was loved by all who met her, and her kindness and generosity knew no bounds. She was drawn to young children and babies and considered a second mother by many. She loved her dogs and often had one or two at her side. Her long daily walks were one of her favorite pastimes, especially with friends and family, and she loved gardening and tending her many house plants. Kathy traveled extensively throughout her life, from her childhood relocations due to her father’s career in the army, to her many memorable vacations with family from the Caribbean to Colorado. She and her friends were able to visit countless cities across America and Europe while following her husband as he traveled to participate in numerous major marathons. She was an avid reader who shared her love of books with her many grandchildren. Kathy loved spending days at her favorite beaches including Avalon, NJ, and Isle of Palms, SC.

Kathy graduated in 1964 from Frankfurt American High School in Germany. Her career began at Boeing Vertol in Philadelphia, PA, supporting CH-47 Chinook helicopters. She also worked at Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh, PA; Hollipops Fine Toys & Gifts in Mount Pleasant, SC; World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraisers; and eventually in advertising at Zimmerman & Murray Associates in Mount Pleasant, SC. Kathy and Art were regular platelet donors and were awarded Couple of the Year from the Red Cross in 2005 for their many platelet donations. Kathy loved to entertain, and her house was a constant stream of visitors who were warmly welcomed. She was known for her legendary chocolate chip cookies and always had the candy jars full, especially for her grandchildren.

Kathryn is preceded in death by her parents Donald and Isabelle McGurk and brother Frank McGurk.

Kathryn is survived by her husband, Arthur Zimmerman; daughter, Kristina Zimmerman Puzzello and sons Scott Zimmerman (Kirsty) and Steven Zimmerman (Emilie); brothers Donald McGurk Jr. (Julie - deceased), Stephen McGurk (Cathy), Charles McGurk (Lisa), and sisters Ellen McGurk (Doug - deceased), Maureen Simpson (Paul); grandchildren Damian Puzzello, Kassie Puzzello, Freya Zimmerman, Zachary Zimmerman, Mathilde Zimmerman, Etienne Zimmerman, Elodie Zimmerman, Pauline Zimmerman, Jean-Michel Zimmerman; and great-grandchildren Vincent Brown, Cane Jennings, and Hendrix Puzzello.

A funeral mass will be held at Stella Maris Catholic Church, Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, at 11:00am on Monday October 28th. The burial will be held at Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, immediately following the funeral mass. Following the burial, the family will receive friends at home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Stella Maris Catholic Church and the Red Cross.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Mount Funeral and Cremation, 1520 Rifle Range Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, (843) 884-3833.