Catherine “Cathy” Zimmerman, née McGillivray
Catherine “Cathy” Zimmerman, née McGillivray, aged 81, died on March 8, 2024 at St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac. Her death came four years and four days after that of her beloved son, Karl Zimmerman, and was caused by complications of recently diagnosed cancer.
Cathy was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on September 16,1942 to Wilfred “Bud” and Marian McGillivray. She grew up mostly in Gillett, Wisconsin, graduating from Gillett High School. Cathy received her BS in nursing from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Cathy was the retired Campus Director of Fox Valley Technical College, Oshkosh. Previously she held positions as Dean of FVTC’s Health and Human Services Division, Public Health Nursing Consultant for Wisconsin Division of Health, and Director of Fond du Lac County Public Health Nursing Service. In retirement, she added a third career working for Karl at his Chicago based internet services company Steadfast Networks.
She contributed her leadership skills and thoughtful insights through board service to multiple organizations. The list includes Affinity Health System; Fond du Lac Women’s Fund, founding board member; chair, Children’s Health Education Center of Wisconsin and St. Francis Home, long term care facility in Fond du Lac. Cathy also served as a non-attorney member of the Wisconsin State Bar Board of Governors and was in her second term on the City of Fond du Lac’s Police and Fire Commission.
Cathy’s girlhood aspiration to be a missionary nurse, making a difference in the lives of people in need, found its match in August 1987. Cathy became one of the first women invited to join the Rotary Club of Oshkosh, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that Rotary clubs may not exclude women on account of gender. Cathy served as Rotary International District 6270 District Governor for southeastern Wisconsin. Rotary’s humanitarian service arm, The Rotary Foundation, provided Cathy the opportunity to find her inner missionary nurse. Her “boots on the ground” experiences in poor suburbs of Lima, Peru and Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa amplified her passion for international service. Cathy’s commitment to service was exemplified by her status as a Major Donor to The Rotary Foundation, recipient of multiple Paul Harris awards and her receipt of the prestigious “Service Above Self” award in 2021. Cathy was overjoyed when Karl joined Rotary Club of Chicago, also known as Rotary One – Rotary’s first club.
More important than all the accomplishments, it was Cathy’s character that will endure. Cathy was loving and devoted to her family, a true and faithful friend to all who knew her, and a mentor and role model to young people, especially young women. She believed in
social justice, equity, women’s rights, and the democratic form of government, and lived her beliefs. Cathy’s kindness and caring concern, seen and unseen, were unparalleled. Her passing leaves a monumental hole in the hearts of many.
Cathy is survived by Jim Flaherty, her loving companion of over 22 years – described by Cathy as “my rock”; Jim’s sons Chris (Ann) and Dwight (Jessie) Flaherty and their respective children. She is further survived by her brother James McGillivray (Veronica); sister-in-law Joann McGillivray; her beloved late son Karl Zimmerman’s stepfamily: Christine Zimmerman; Ryan Zitlow (Kristin), their children Jayden, Brantley and Mayah; and Christy Zitlow; and much-loved cousins Mary Nyes Brindle and Michael Morrissey. She also leaves behind countless friends.
She was preceded in death by her son Karl; her cherished parents Wilfred “Bud” and Marian McGillivray; brothers Hugh and Angus (Joann) McGillivray, aunts and uncles.
Please join us celebrating her life on Friday, March 22, 2024 at Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division St, Fond du Lac WI. The memorial gathering will be from 2:00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Cathy’s memory may be made to The Rotary Foundation, online https://www.rotary.org/donate, or mail to The Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Dr, Chicago IL 60693, or Winnebago Lutheran Academy, 475 E. Merrill St, Fond du Lac, WI 54935. Online condolences may be shared at https://www.zacherlfuneralhome.com.