Maureen Katherine
Zimmerman
August 24, 1931 – August 26, 2022
Maureen passed peacefully with family holding her hand and a little bit of heaven, Ireland, in her heart on August 26, 2022. She was ninety-one. Beloved wife of the late Jake Zimmerman, former State Senator and farmer, she was mother to seven children, "Gram" to six grandchildren, loving sister and friend.
Born in Brooklyn, NY to James and Anna Thompson, Maureen's family later moved to Long Island. She grew up in a musical household - her father played piano in NYC theaters, clubs and churches, while she and her sisters performed weekends at Radio City Music Hall. Her mother, Anna, worked on Wall Street as a secretary, and like Maureen, loved little ones. Maureen's first job was with Save the Children, NY.
Maureen and Jake Zimmerman married on October 14, 1950 and moved to a very rural setting, a 500-acre farm east of Dover, near Little Creek, DE, where she was heard to say, "I can't even see another house!" They raised seven children with love, potatoes, politics and the Catholic faith. In the summers, Maureen carted the young crew to Indian Beach to sun and sail, away from the working farm.
Her priorities were always family and education first. Once her children had attended college, she earned her own college degree in human resources. Subsequently, she shared her caring spirit as the Meals on Wheels volunteer coordinator for the Modern Maturity Center in Dover for 20 years.
She is remembered for many qualities, her abundance of love and pride in her family, a wicked Irish sense of humor, her favorite color yellow, love of good books, crab cakes, coffee Haagen-Dazs, long walks and beautiful Florida sunsets. But truly it is her nature that endures; she was the most selfless person, worrying about those she loved, yet always prepared for whatever role was hers; sister, wife, mother, grandmother, student, friend and now inspirational spirit.
Maureen is predeceased by her husband Jake Zimmerman and sons Thomas and Michael Zimmerman. She is survived, celebrated, and sadly missed by her children; Robert (Jean) Zimmerman of Dover, DE. Patricia Zimmerman of Boca Raton, FL, Claudia Zimmerman of North Palm Beach, FL, Daughter-in-law Connie (Mike) Zimmerman of Jupiter, FL, Teresa Zimmerman (Christopher) Mraz of Kennett Sq, PA, James Zimmerman of Jupiter, FL; grandchildren, Thomas Zimmerman and his wife Erin Grewe, Rebecca Jo Zimmerman and her husband Matt Marvin, Anna Mraz, James Mraz, Sarah Mraz, Alex (Rachel) Zimmerman. And with great love, her small-yet-mighty Irish twin sister, Carol Jarent of Massapequa Park, NY.
Services for Maureen will be celebrated at the Church of the Holy Cross, 631 South State St, Dover, DE, on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Friends may visit with the family from 11:00-11:40 a.m. at the church. The services will commence at 11:45 a.m. with an Opening Song and Words of Remembrance followed by a Mass of Christian Burial.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Maureen's name may be made to:
Meals On Wheels, DE - mealsonwheelsde.org/support-us/donate-online
Or the Save The Children Federation- https://support.savethechildren.org
A private interment ceremony for the family will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Torbert Funeral Home. Visit torbertfuneral.com to share prayers and memories.