SSJ Sr. Marilyn Zimmerman

Marilyn Zimmerman, SSJ, 90, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on June 9, 2025, in the 72nd year of her religious life. She was born in Erie, PA, on May 17, 1935, the daughter of the late Louis F. and Bernice (McNulty) Zimmerman. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from Holy Rosary Parish in Erie in August 1953 and professed her final vows in August 1959.

Sister Marilyn graduated from Villa Maria Academy and earned a B.S. in Education from Villa Maria College, Erie, in 1963. As a spiritual director, she was trained in Ignatian Spirituality at the Romero Center of Detroit, Michigan. She received a MEd in guidance/counseling from Gannon University in 1968 and did postgraduate training as a Gestalt therapist at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, Ohio, from 1994 to 1998.

Sister Marilyn's ministries included teaching, counseling, pastoral ministry, spiritual direction, and retreat work. She taught at Holy Spirit School, Columbus, Ohio; Holy Rosary, Johnsonburg; and Villa Maria Elementary and Blessed Sacrament Schools in Erie. She was Director of Admissions and Campus Ministry at Villa Maria College, Erie.

After Vatican II expanded ministry opportunities in the Church, Sister Marilyn felt called to address the plight and needs of women. As a Hotline volunteer, she realized a great need for shelter for women and children. In 1973, she began Community House transitional housing for women and children in Erie. Community House continues operations today as part of Gaudenzia.

Sister Marilyn later spent four years committed to the people of the Amazon, in Brazil, and to pastoral ministry at St. Andrew Parish, Erie. She also ministered as a counselor, spiritual director, and retreat director at Ecclesia Center in Girard, Pennsylvania, and in private spiritual direction practice. In 1996, she was recognized as Gannon University Alumna of the Year.

On the occasion of her Jubilee, Sister Marilyn reflected, "My life has been like that of the prophet Habakkuk in the Book of Daniel (14:33-36). I feel that God had somehow or other lifted me by the hair of my head and placed me in those experiences where God knows I can make a difference…in the life of others and the life of the Church."

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Louis, Donald, and Allen; and her sisters Rita Wilson, Emma Jean Kissman, and Rose Mary Ohmer. She is survived by several nieces and nephews and her religious community, the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Friends may call at the Sisters of St. Joseph Community Living Center, 5031 West Ridge Road, Erie, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, beginning at 1:00 p.m. with prayer and sharing of memories. Calling hours will continue until 3:50 p.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 4:00 p.m. The Mass will be livestreamed on the Sisters of St. Joseph YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/SSJErie/live. The interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph Mission & Ministries Foundation, 5031 West Ridge Road, Erie, PA, 16506-1249. The Kloecker Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. is handling arrangements.