Mary C. Zimney

Mary Catherine Zimney, 81, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2026, at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Born in Windsor, North Dakota, on February 2, 1944, to Anton and Catherine (Staloch) Zimney, Mary was the second eldest of ten children.

Immediately following her 1962 graduation from Albert Lea High School, Mary entered the Sisters of the Resurrection convent in Chicago, taking the name Sister Mary Anelda. A devout Catholic, she dedicated her early life to the education of young children. During her years in the sisterhood, she taught at schools in Chicago, Michigan, and Florida, and served as a principal at two institutions.

While teaching at St. Clare of Montefalco in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, she received the Outstanding Teacher award from St. Ignatius College Prep. Mary later earned her Master’s Degree in Education from DePaul University. A personal highlight of her spiritual journey was a sabbatical in Rome, where she met Pope John Paul II and participated as a reader and singer during a Mass he officiated.

Mary left the convent in 1993, continuing her teaching career in Chicago for several years. Following their father’s death in 2001, she and her sister, Dorothy, moved back to Albert Lea to care for their mother. Mary resumed teaching in nearby Adams before accepting a position teaching English as a Second Language at Brookside School in Albert Lea.

These were perhaps her happiest years as an educator. Having studied Spanish and developed a deep affinity for Latino culture, Mary found great joy in supporting local immigrant families. She was a dedicated mentor who earned the lasting respect of her students and colleagues alike.

After retiring, Mary remained in the family home on Minnie Maddern. Alongside Dorothy, she provided the devoted care that allowed their mother to remain at home until her passing at age 102 in 2019. Mary and Dorothy continued to live there together until moving to the Thorne Crest community in 2024.

Mary was an avid reader and a principled advocate for women’s equality and human rights. Her exceptional generosity and kindness left a lasting mark on everyone she met.

Mary is survived by her siblings: Ray (Judy), Bob, Dave (Elaine), Len (Kathryn), Mardy (Steve), Margaret (Jamie), Catherine (Ray), Dorothy, and Theresa (Tom), as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Catherine Zimney.

A memorial is planned for the spring. Mary will be interred at St. Theodore’s Catholic Cemetery alongside her mother and father. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to World Central Kitchens ( donatewck.org ) or Immigrant Legal Resource Center ( IRLC.org ).