Mary Juanita Zimelis (Corby), 83, of Grand Rapids, MI, died on March 28, 2024, at her home after a full life and content retirement. She was born on July 27, 1940 to Idella V. Corby (Walker) and Martin C. Corby in Detroit, MI. During her younger years, the family lived in Whitehall, Montague, and Muskegon, before finally settling in Grand Rapids when she was 10. She graduated in 1958 from Mt. Mercy Academy with a high school diploma and some wacky "trouble with angels" type stories.

Mary married John Zimelis on January 28, 1961 and they had 4 children. Eventually her mother Idella joined the household to help wrangle the kids. Mary had several clerical jobs, and eventually became an insurance claims adjuster. But her real love was art. She was accomplished in oil and acrylic painting, and "retired" early along with her husband John to make and sell country wood craft art (including several original folk art Santa designs), with John as carpenter and Mary as artist. She also loved using her art skills to paint murals and decorate kitchen cabinets and furniture. If she had been a reality TV star, the show would have been called "Paint a Rose on It!" Mary was also an avid reader, historian, and amateur genealogist. She wrote family histories for several branches of the family.

Mary also had a chosen family, her sorority sisters of the Alpha Omega Master chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, who have been steadfast friends and confidants for decades.

Surviving family members include daughter Renee (Randy) Ruchotzke, sons John (Jennifer) Zimelis & William (Stephanie) Zimelis, son-in-law Steven Fitzgerald; and grandchildren Keegan (Madeline Bensinger) and Kendra Larwin; James and Joseph Fitzgerald; Madeline, Maya, and Jacob Zimelis; and John, Nikolas, and Benjamin Zimelis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step-siblings Loraine Corby, Marty (Frank) DeWitt and Charlie Corby, husband John, and daughter Janis (Steven) Fitzgerald.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, May 13, 1:00pm at St. Mary Catholic Church, 423 First Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 with the Rev. Fr. David Sacha officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass. The family invites Mary's sorority sisters and other friends and relatives to a reception afterward at the church's community center. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery, Wyoming, MI.

Memorials or donations may be made to the charity of your choice.