Cecily Zerbe

Cecily Swabb Zerbe of Wesley Chapel, FL passed away on March 30, 2020. She was born December 31, 1927 in Erie PA., the daughter of Frank Swabb and Ethel Duffy Swabb. Due to the Great Depression, her parents relocated to Hazelton, PA. where she grew up. She met Edward B. Zerbe on a blind date. They married December 30, 1950 and were married for 69 years. Ed still resides in Wesley Chapel, Fl. Cecily was predeceased by her brother James in 2000. She is survived by her four Sons. Brennan Zerbe and his wife Marilyn of Mill Valley, CA, Robert Zerbe of Crisfield, MD and his wife Kathryn, John Zerbe and his spouse Ryan of Omaha, NE, Douglas Zerbe and his wife Valinda of Wesley Chapel, FL Grandchildren Gavin and Devon Zerbe, Erica Murphy-Zerbe and husband Patrick of Seattle. Edward and Cecily’s Daughter, Allison died in 1972 at age seven Cecily was a devoted lifelong Catholic and the Sisters of Mercy provided her education at both Mount St. Mary Academy in Watchung, NJ and at Georgian Court College. Cecily graduated in 1949 with a B.S. degree in both English and Merchandising. Cecily then attended New York University School of Commerce at the Graduate School of Retailing earning an M.S. in Retailing in 1950. Cecily took courses throughout her life including Art History, Calligraphy, Total Immersion French Classes, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Bible studies, Jazz and Upholstery. Cecily was a bridge player, tennis buff and golfer, even getting a hole-in-one in 2000. She was a self-described Genealogy “buff” tracing her forebearers back to the 1600s, before the internet existed. A book was published reflecting her family research. Cecily frequently acknowledged how blessed her life was, and that her greatest joy was her four “boys.” Her husband Ed was a corporate executive. Her real career was her family although she was a successful Sales Representative for Lederle Laboratories, a pharmaceutical division of America Cyanamide for some years while three sons attended college. Resided in Ridgewood, NJ 1965 – 1995, Hilton Head Island, SC 1995 – 2002. Moved to Wesley Chapel, FL 2002 She was a member of St. Mark the Evangelist Church in Tampa, FL where she formally served as a Eucharistic Minister. There will be a Memorial Service at St Mark’s on Cross Creek Blvd, Tampa, (Near Wesley Chapel) on Wednesday, July 8 at 10:30 am. Later this year, Cecily’s remains will be interred in the family plot at Christ the King Cemetery in Franklin Lakes, NJ. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Trinity Café, a non-denominational café that feeds the homeless would be appreciated. P.O. Box 320146 Tampa, FL 33679. Cecily and Ed served there as volunteers for several years.