Marley Zimmerman

Marley Carol Zimmerman of Thurmont was born September 11, 1991. She left this life April 28, 2017.

"Missy M" (Merv) was a girl’s girl. Soft and feathery. Glittering and shining. A flash of lightning. A bolt of energy. A force of nature. Her parting good bye was literally an earth-shaking boom that rattled the rafters of Thurmont. She was all about "more"-a gentle breeze would never have fit the bill.

She loved children and family, and chronicling her life in photos and scrapbooks. She loved color, whimsy and all things Disney. She was one of a kind-always. Her fashion sense featured the glamour of Marilyn Monroe with a side of Kardashian.

She leaves behind the loves of her life, son Axel Aaron and partner Austin Mack.

She was loved more than life by her mother, Rebecca (Rob) Hankey and sister, Bailey Zimmerman (Tom Kesteven and baby Maddox).

Though Josh, Justin (Brittany), and Caitlin (Raul Moran) Hankey were technically her step-siblings, Marley had no use for that term. They were simply brothers and a sister she loved with all her heart.

She was also cherished by her grandfather, Carl Thayer, Sr.; uncles Carl Thayer, Jr. and Stephen Thayer; aunts Mary (Steve) Haugen, and Kathy (Steve) Nicholakos.

Marley is also survived by her father, Rick Zimmerman, his sister Debrah, and his parents, Carol and Charles Zimmerman.

She will be lovingly remembered by her aunt Laurel (Ed) Mitchell, and grandmother Joan Hankey; as well as many other family members. She particularly enjoyed spending time with her cousins, Helena, Sophie, Demetri and Natalie; and nieces and nephews Cole, Isaac, Arianna, Aubrey, Adalyn and Alazar.

Sometimes we are fortunate in life to find people who fill the empty places in our hearts. Rob Hankey treated Marley as a daughter and she loved him as a father.

Patsy Plum gave her the unconditional love of a second grandmother until her "Granny Helena" (Helena Ramsburg Thayer) would have the chance to embrace her granddaughter in the spiritual realm, along with Opa, Richard (Dick) Hankey.

Honorary aunties include Jamie Stains and Angel Clabaugh.

Amanda Harris was her dearest friend from beginning to end.

Karen Mack was also there for Marley as a source of love and support.

Marley received an Associate of Arts degree from FCC and had been studying social work at Hood College. She hoped to work with troubled teens one day.

She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her.

But there is no doubt her spirit will remain near and live large in our hearts.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, at Stauffer Funeral Home, 104 East Main Street, Thurmont, Maryland.

A celebration of life is scheduled at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 5 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Creagerstown, Maryland, 8619 Blacks Mill Road, Thurmont, MD 21788.

In addition to flowers and condolences, donations can be made to the Axel Mack Fund at Frederick County Bank.