Mary Ann Zimmerman age 76, called Mokey by friends and family, died Saturday, May 24th, after a brief battle with cancer.  Mokey resided in Colon, Michigan.

Mokey was born and raised in Calumet City, Illinois.  She attended Thornton Fractional North High School and Illinois State University, where she majored in elementary education.

Mokey taught for seven years, mostly kindergarten, which she loved, in Harvey, Illinois.  While there, she became very active in the Harvey Education Association, where she negotiated contracts for teachers and represented them in grievances, disciplinary meetings, and others.

That experience led to her next career change.  Mokey became a union rep, (called a UniServ Director) for the Michigan Education Association, from 1981 until 2005, when she accepted an early retirement.  After retiring, she was bored, so she went back to work for the South Bend Education Association for five years.  Even after that, she took temporary positions covering for colleagues on medical leave.

In all these positions, Mokey did what she loved: representing teachers and other school employees.

Mokey retired (for good this time!) and moved to Colon in 2009.  She became active in the community, including the Colon Lions Club, Colon Library Board, and American Legion Auxiliary. And, of course, let us not forget her competitiveness at the card table.

Mokey always said that she had the best family in the world, and her siblings were all there for her in her final journey:  Eve Sullivan of Phoenix, Bob (Tara) of Riverview, Florida, Mike (Michelle) of Burr Oak, and Laurie of Schererville, Indiana.

She had several nieces and nephews, whom she adored: Brandon, Kelly, Cory, Mikey, Marisa, Bobby III; great nieces and nephews Mira and Nolan.

Mokey's parents, Bob and Eve Zimmerman of Colon, MI, formerly of Calumet City, IL and her sister Pat (Michael) Quinlan all predeceased her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 454 at 122 E. State Street, Colon, MI  49040.

Contributions in memory of Mary Ann can be made to the Colon Lions Club or the Colon Township Food Pantry.