Abby Zeb

Abby Lynne (Gilmore) Zeb, 39, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away Oct. 24, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, from injuries sustained in an accident while she was running.

Abby was born March 12, 1985, in Fort Scott, Kansas, to John and Kathie (Dunbar) Gilmore. She graduated from St. Mary’s Colgan High School in 2003. Abby graduated from Pittsburg State University in 2007 earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She worked as an ICU nurse at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Poplar Bluff (Mo.) Regional Medical Center, and Mercy Hospital in Joplin. In 2021, Abby earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Pittsburg State University. She was working as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Joplin Primary Care.

She married Dr. Jahan Zeb Dec. 27, 2014, in Pittsburg, Kansas. Jahan and Abby spent 15 years together. While they divorced in 2022, they remained in a supportive relationship focusing on their children and activities and causes that they were passionate about.

Abby loved spending time with her three boys, Drew, Jacob, and Nico, and her family and friends. She was an avid runner, participating in numerous half marathons, marathons, and other races. Over the past 10 years, Abby raised funds and ran in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend.

Abby enjoyed music and loved going to concerts with family and friends. Summer was her favorite season. You could find her soaking up the sun by the pool with friends and watching the kids enjoy the water and play together. She was always willing to hop in the car and take a trip with loved ones and often initiated planning the next adventure while returning home.

She supported her family and friends by eagerness to show up to events to support all the kids; from Friday night football games, early morning track practices, late night meets, and everything in between. Abby had a drive for excellence. She had a competitive nature that came to the surface when watching her loved ones compete. It wasn’t about winning as much as it was about the challenge to be ever-improving and becoming the best version of oneself.

Abby was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Joplin. She was involved as a leader for the middle school youth group and helped out with various other school activities, including cross country practices, and the “Warrior Dash”, a Joplin Area Catholic Schools (JACS) fundraiser.

She is survived by three sons, Andrew Zeb, Jacob Zeb, and Nico Zeb of Joplin; step-daughters Ana Zeb of Montclair, New Jersey; and Julia Zeb of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; her parents, John and Kathie Gilmore of Pittsburg; her brother, Matt Gilmore (Jennifer) of Pittsburg; and her sister, Amy Renn (Steven) of Pittsburg. Abby is also survived by her nieces and nephews Jax Renn, Mariella Gilmore, Tate Renn, Norah Gilmore, Evelyn Gilmore, and Juliette Gilmore.

Abby was preceded in death by her grandparents, Charles and Betty Gilmore, and Gerald and Nattie Jo Dunbar, and numerous great aunts and uncles that had a substantial impact on her life.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m., Monday (Nov. 4) at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Joplin with Fr. Joe Weidenbenner as celebrant. The parish rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m., Sunday (Nov. 3) at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Pittsburg. The family will receive friends following the rosary. Burial will be in the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Pittsburg.

The family suggests memorials to Pittsburg State Irene Ransom Bradley School of Nursing and/or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary.