Dr. Marsha Ann Zahumensky

Dr. Marsha Ann Zahumensky “Dr. Z”, 64

Passed away unexpectedly on the afternoon of Thursday April 10th, 2025, in Alabaster, Alabama. She was born on February 25th, 1961 in Gary, Indiana to Edward Joseph Zahumensky and Emily Mattis Zahumensky, she was the youngest of their 3 daughters.

While she was born in Indiana the family moved to Montevallo, Alabama when Marsha was seven years old. She lived in Alabama for the remainder of her life. Marsha attended all of the local Montevallo schools for her primary years. She attended the University of Montevallo to receive her undergraduate degree in Biology and then continued her education at Auburn University where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).

As she became to be known by all of her patients, Dr. Z worked dedicatedly to serve all of the animals and people she worked with each day. After veterinary school Dr. Z worked for clinics in several locations primarily in central Alabama. In July of 1998 she made her mark in her professional life by purchasing her own practice, Shelby Animal Clinic, in Alabaster, AL. As the owner and operator, she worked with honor and passion for the past 27 years. Dr. Z worked every day to give her everything to serve the animals and people she vowed to help.

In her personal life Marsha was the beloved mother of her three children. If her work was her passion her joy in life was her children whom she loved with all heart and being. Marsha was a devout Catholic and loved the Lord with all the depths of her soul. The greatest gift she instilled in each of her children was the true love of Christ and in particular the true joy and gift of being Catholic and receiving Him totally in the Eucharist.

Marsha’s devotion to Our Lord could clearly be seen in her actions to all those she met and all of the friends and lives she touched. She truly embodied the call to “be your brother’s keeper”, if there was something she could give, she would give.

Marsha is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Emily Zahumensky.

She will be lovingly remembered by her sons, Andrew Jude Zahumensky and Edward Michael Zahumensky; her daughter, Anna Marie Zahumensky; and their father Anthony Jerome Patton.

She is also survived by her sisters, Cathy Zahumensky Gentry and Susan Zahumensky Green; in addition to their spouses and children.

Lastly, she will be deeply missed by the numerous friends she made throughout her life. Marsha, ever humble in life, did not realize the impact or love she showed to so many people. Her greatest wish was that when people saw her, they might see, even just a glimpse, of the love of Our Lord shining through her. Many would agree that she lived this wish every day.

The funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 5514 Double Oak Ln, Birmingham, AL 35242, at 2pm on Tuesday April 15th, 2025, graveside to immediately follow. Visitation will take place an hour prior from 1 until 2pm. Marsha will be laid to rest next to her parents at Shelby Memory Gardens in Calera, Alabama.