Mary Catherine Zettel

Peacefully, after an eleven-year struggle with early onset Alzheimer's disease, fought with great courage, openness, and quiet dignity, surrounded by the love of her family, in her 64th year, at McCormick Home in London, on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017.

Much loved sister of Jack and his wife Carol of London, Patrick of Waterloo, and Jim and his wife Patricia of Hanover; and loving aunt to John Zettel and Hema Varghese, and their children Maia and Jackson; Kaely Zettel and Will Hazell and their children Alexis and Xavier; Ben Zettel; Fr. Jim Zettel; Michael Zettel and Nicole Vassalo, and their son, Brock; and Jessica and Brad Antaya, and their daughters Miriam and Abigail. Predeceased by her parents Hubert and Agnes (nee McGrath) Zettel.

Born and raised in Cambridge (Preston), and a graduate of the Recreation program at Seneca College, Mary was an avid athlete who spent most of her adult life working as a sports administrator, coach, and mentor both at Seneca College and at Centennial College in Toronto. Over the course of her long career, she served as Varsity Co-ordinator for the athletic program at Seneca College, Manager of Intercollegiate Athletics at Centennial College, Athletic Director at Centennial College, and treasurer, vice-president and president of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association executive. Her work in enhancing the effectiveness of sports administration and in furthering the aspirations of young athletes was frequently recognized by her peers, most recently with her induction in 2005 into the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association Hall of Fame and with the establishment in 2008 of the Mary Zettel Athletic Scholarship at Centennial College. She was an exceptionally hard worker, a tireless team player for whom no task was too arduous or too menial, a warm and loving daughter, sister, and aunt, and a loyal, caring, and compassionate friend to the many people, young and old, whom she welcomed into her life both before and after the onset of her illness.

Though confronted in her final years by the very difficult challenges of a terrible disease, she remained positive, hopeful, and completely true to her own character, reaching out to help others by volunteering for as long as she could in the Alzheimer Outreach Services day program at McCormick Home, participating in clinical studies for new Alzheimer drugs and therapies, maintaining close contact with family, friends and former colleagues, and keeping the demons at bay by continuing her involvement in sports and recreational activities. Mary's family would like to express their sincere gratitude to McCormick Home in London and especially its staff in Memory Lane, Maple Grove, and Alzheimer Outreach Services, and to the staff of Horizon Place in London. The loving care provided by the wonderful staff in both these facilities gave continued support and comfort to Mary and much solace to her family during the final years of her illness. We would also like to thank Mary’s many friends whose visits from afar over the course of several years were a source of real joy to Mary at all stages of her disease.

Relatives and friends are invited to Visitation at the Barthel Funeral Home, 566 Queenston Road, Cambridge (519-653-3251) on Tuesday, February 21st from 2 - 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Clement’s Catholic Church, 745 Duke Street, Cambridge on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 10 a.m. Burial at Parklawn Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to McCormick Home Foundation would be appreciated by the family.