Maggie Gose Zimmer

Margaret “Maggie” Clarissa Gose Zimmer, passed away on January 4th, 2026. She was the incredible wife of Joseph “Joe” Zimmer, daughter to Anne and Tom Gose, twin sister to Chloe Gose, and dog mom to her 7-year-old Duck Tolling Retriever, Tilly. Maggie was a truly remarkable person. There are no words to describe the loss of such an incredible wife, family member, friend, scientist, and pivotal member of her communities. A genuine “bright light”, she made the world more colorful every day of her far too-short life with fierce curiosity and steadfast compassion.

Growing up in Bellevue, Maggie attended Sacred Heart Elementary, Chinook Middle School and graduated in 2013 from Bellevue High School. She embraced a wide range of interests as a child and, according to her sister, was genuinely good at everything from academics to sports to music. She became an expert whistler, ensuring her family knew where in the house she was at all times. She was on the lacrosse team, yearbook committee, played clarinet in the marching band, and enjoyed playing the piano. Maggie was exuberant, silly, and unwavering in her convictions. She always had a plan, and she brought her loved ones along with her–upholding family traditions, rallying friends, ensuring everyone felt welcome, and even took the family deep into British Columbia to pick up her darling Tilly.

Maggie attended Whitman College where she excelled in the classroom, studying biology, built a community of lifelong friends (living at “The Zoo”), found her passion for overseas travel while studying abroad in Copenhagen, and fell in love with fellow student and future husband Joe Zimmer. After college, Maggie began a professional life dedicated to improving the lives of others. While working in Seattle’s groundbreaking biotech sector she helped develop leading-edge cancer treatments and pioneered new therapies for Type 1 Diabetes that will support patients and their families for generations to come.

Beyond her work, Maggie embraced life with wholehearted enthusiasm. She was a voracious reader, somehow making her way through three books at once between her bookshelf, kindle, and audiobooks. Maggie was always trying new hobbies whether it be crafting, baking, or going to yoga classes–her latest “obsession” changing as quickly as her curiosity carried her. Besides her hobbies, Maggie loved spending time in nature, exploring the Pacific Northwest on foot, paddleboard, canoe, and skis. Her adventurous spirit led her to travel the country and the world, experiencing Scotland, France, the Netherlands, Singapore, Cambodia, Spain, and Mexico with Joe and their friends. She made annual trips to Gull Lake in Minnesota to spend time with her Etzell family, Orcas Island to salmon fish with her father, and Mission Ridge and Sun Valley to ski with her friends. Maggie and Joe were married on May 31, 2025, in Walla Walla, WA surrounded by loved ones. She became a cherished daughter-in-law to Erin and Tom Zimmer, and sister-in-law to Laura Zimmer and Patrick Zimmer. Her new family noted Maggie was relentlessly authentic, knew herself, served as a mentor and older sister, and gave the best gifts. Maggie leaves behind a wide circle of family and friends who love her deeply. While it would be impossible to name everyone she impacted–from Minnesota to Seattle to Montana and far beyond–she will be forever remembered by her extended family of Goses, Etzells, Zimmers, and Smiths, and by the countless people who were fortunate enough to be blessed by Maggie’s presence.

A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 am on Monday January 19th, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church located at 9460 NE 14th Street, Bellevue, WA 98004.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Maggie’s name can be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound at https://inspirebig.org/ways-to-donate/ and the Young Women Empowered professional organization at https://youngwomenempowered.org/give-once/ .