Mary Z. Kooser

Mary Z. Kooser, age 80, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2018 in Seasons Hospice at Christiana Hospital.

Born in Wilmington, she was the daughter of the late John and Anne Green Doherty. Mary was a graduate of St. Elizabeth Grade School, Henry C. Conrad High School, and held a certificate in interior design. She began work in the Treasury Department of the DuPont Co. Mary married her first husband John (Jack) Zimmerman in 1958. They had a son, Karl Zimmerman.

Mary was a stay at home parent for Karl and for foster children through Catholic Charities until Jack’s death in 1970.   Mary then earned her real estate license and began work with B. Gary Scott and then with Patterson Schwartz. Later she put her interior design skills to work at Country Curtains. Mary enjoyed collecting antique linen, touring regional house and garden open houses, traveling to antiques shops, and spending many house at Winterthur Museum. An avid reader she explored ideas in history, religion, and design. She always liked to say that her home was her studio.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, her husband Jack, son Karl, brothers John (Jack) and George (Bob) Doherty and sister Anne Taylor Mercure. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, William J Kooser; brother William (Janice) Doherty, grandson Adam Zimmerman, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday March 15, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE. A visitation will be held prior from 10 to 11 AM. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fr. James Trainor Scholarship Fund – 107 East 14^th Street Wilmington, DE 19801 or Child, INC. 507 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE 19809.