Mary Elizabeth Kimber

Mary Elizabeth Kimber, age 86 of Zeeland passed away Monday June 15, 2021. Mary was born in Portage, Wisconsin on Oct. 9, 1934, the daughter of Leo and Thelma (Mullencup) Hardy. Mary is preceded in death by her son Randall Jay Kimber (3-27-59) and is survived by her husband of 65 years, Donald Jay Kimber; children Scott (Cindy Diepenhorst) Kimber of Holland, Beth Mayer of Briny Breezes, FL and grandson David Mayer of Allendale.

After Mary graduated high school she attended a cosmetology school. She became a hair stylist in her own home while raising her children; and then she became the owner of Phase One Hair Salon in Holland. When she became an empty nester, she went to college at Palm Beach Atlantic College. Her biggest legacy in her life that continues to impact many children today are the before and after school programs that she founded in the state of Florida and Zeeland Michigan (Z-kids Club). She started the programs with a zero budget and wrote grants to start the programs. She also was invited by the State of Michigan to become a grant reader and approve grants for other school programs. Mary was honored in Florida with an award for outstanding achievement in furthering community education by the governor for her work in Florida schools in 1988. Mary always tried to make the programs fun for children, affordable for parents and sought grants/scholarships to help students who could not afford the programs.

Mary volunteered all her life in schools and in the communities in which she lived. After retiring she served for several years on the Briny Breezes Board of Directors and was President for Briny Breezes Corporation in Florida. Her hobbies included water color painting, designing greeting cards, shuffle board, playing cards and traveling.  She was the one who always organized and held family gatherings at the family cottage which created many wonderful memories for everyone.

A private family interment in Zeeland Cemetery will be held Wednesday June 23 at 11:00 a.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends at the Grand Ravines Lodge on Friday June 25 from 4:30pm-7:30pm. Grand Ravines Lodge is located at 9920 42^nd Ave, Georgetown Twp. MI 49428.

A Celebration of Life at Briny Breezes, Fl will be announced later.

In lieu of flowers, Mary’s wishes were for donations to be given for Z-Kids student scholarships. Donations can be mailed to:

Zeeland Public Schools

Attn: Mary Miilu / Z-Kids

183 W Roosevelt

Zeeland, MI 49426