Margery Elizabeth (margie) Huge Zylich Obituary

Margery Elizabeth (margie) Huge Zylich attended Paul G. Blazer High School in Ashland, KY. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Margery Elizabeth (margie) Huge Zylich.

Graduation Year	Class of 2011
Date of Passing	Aug 29, 2011
About	August 31, 2011 Margery Elizabeth (Huge) Zylich 1963-2011 St. John's Episcopal Church The Independent ASHLAND — With an unforgettable presence, inspirational courage and unparalleled strength, Margery E. Zylich, APR, made an enduring and eternal impression on countless individuals. On Monday, Aug. 29, 2011, Margery began a new journey with God following a heroic battle with cancer. Her brilliant spirit shined all Monday long as the sunshine after rain comforted her husband, Eric, her supportive family and many friends. Margery leaves an irreplaceable legacy. Born Oct. 3, 1963, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Robert R. Huge and Patricia H. Huge, she spent the majority of her childhood in Ashland, enjoying a Southern upbringing with her beloved sister, Betsy Jackson. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Vanderbilt University, and completed graduate studies at The George Washington University (business administration), Southern Methodist University (archaeology) and the Harvard Business School (executive education program). She was passionately committed to her career and the MedStar Health family, which she joined in 1999 after heading up strategic communications for Washington Hospital Center and serving as assistant vice president, Special Operations, for Georgetown University Hospital (both of which are now MedStar Health hospitals). As vice president of Operational Communications and chief of staff for one of the nation’s top, integrated healthcare delivery systems, Margery helped shape Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region’s healthcare landscape as the trusted communication counsel for MedStar Health’s president and CEO and Leadership Team. She led internal marketing communications and management/employee engagement initiatives that mobilized MedStar’s 26,000 associates and 5,300 physicians to achieve systemwide goals. She was extremely proud of her Operational Communications team, all of whom flourished under her mentorship and leadership. Prior to joining MedStar, Margery was the director of Public Affairs and Marketing at the Arlington Hospital (now the Virginia Hospital Center). Earlier in her career, Margery served in the political arena working with the White House and U.S. Congress. She was named the deputy executive director for Citizens for America where she managed communications, field and financial operations for President Reagan’s national grassroots legislative lobby organization with 5,000 members in 43 state chapters. She then served as an external affairs officer with the Federal Asset Disposition Association focusing on legislative reform and the management of assets for the nation’s bankrupt S&L industry. She also was the director of Communications for a presidential campaign and a member of the American Hospice Foundation Board of Directors. Margery’s coveted talent earned her professional accreditation by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). She received more than 200 national and international industry awards for her work, including the 2007 Pinnacle Award from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), designating her as the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., region’s outstanding senior communicator. In addition to her admirable career, Margery embraced her loving family and faith. She is survived by her husband, Eric; mother Patricia H. Huge; sister and brother-in-law Betsy and Clark Jackson; nephew Andrew; and niece Emily. She was an active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and volunteered her time for a variety of Washington, D.C., cultural programs. Family, friends and colleagues will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. today, Sept. 1, 2011, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3427 Olney-Laytonsville Road, Olney, MD 20832. A Celebration of Life will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 2, 2011, at the church followed by burial at Norbeck Memorial Park, 16225 Batchelors Forest Road, Olney, MD 20832. Margery adored flowers, which are welcomed at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, Md. A memorial Mass will also be conducted at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, at Holy Family Church, 900 Winchester Ave., Ashland, KY 41101, with a reception to follow at the church. Additionally, contributions may be made to the Margery E. Zylich Communication Fund at MedStar Health, attention Margery E. Zylich Communication Fund, 5565 Sterrett Place, Columbia, MD 21044, or via the website medstarhealth.org/MEZ or via phone at (410) 772-6756. The guiding light of Margery’s faith, legacy and purpose will long live within her treasured family, friends and colleagues.