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Elizabeth Ann Short Zimmerman passed away on October 15, 2026.
She was born Elizabeth Ann Short on March 6, 1931 in Harrington, Delaware. Her parents were Samuel Adam Short, Jr. and Ethel Thompson Short of Harrington, DE. She had two sisters, Thelma L. Betts, deceased and Lillian M. Callaway of Harrington.
Elizabeth was known as Betty for most of her life. In later years she chose to be known as Elizabeth. Elizabeth was a reader. Her chosen text was usually anything relating to health, wellness, and nutrition. She
started reading about health years before it was fashionable to be so interested.
She read books written by Adelle Davis, a natural nutritionist who wrote decades ago. She also had a small personal library of books about nutrition and wellness she often referred to. She was an excellent cook and took great care to prepare delicious and healthy meals for her husband and children.
She loved riding her bicycle on the trails and paths of the family farm, Broad Acres, Inc. on Bayside Drive east of Dover, Delaware where she lived with her husband, Joseph, married for 52 years until his death in 2001, and raised a family of 4 children. She helped the farming operation by doing bookkeeping until she retired in 2010 at the age of 79.
She could often be seen cutting grass all around the home and business area landscaped with flowers on her riding lawnmower. She liked being outdoors that way, getting her healthy dose of sunshine.
She really enjoyed going on the annual trips with the Delaware Farm Bureau.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph C. Zimmerman, Sr., originally from Long Island, NY.
She is survived by her four children and their spouses as follows: Son, Joseph (Jeanne) Zimmerman of Mobile, Alabama Grandchildren, Adaline (Jason) Swanbeck of Danville, IN, Adam (Brandy) Zimmerman of Mobile, AL Aaron ( Helen) Zimmerman of Midlothian, VA Ashley (Jacob) Ruesch of LaVerkin, UT, Andrew (Christina) Zimmerman of Milford, DE.
Son, Frederick D. (Nanette) Zimmerman of Dover, DE, Grandchildren, David Zimmerman and Brian Zimmerman both of Dover, DE.
Son, Dan M. (Lori) Zimmerman of Dover, DE Grandchildren, Shawn Rene Zimmerman and Isaac Zimmerman both of Dover, DE.
Daughter, Nancy Z. (Joel) Kroeger of Bridgeville, DE, Grandchildren, Bryan C. Elzey of San Diego, CA, Matthew J. (Brooke) Kroeger of Bethel, DE, Sarah E. Kroeger of Bridgeville, DE.
She is also survived by her sister, Lillian Calloway of Harrington, DE and 30 great-grandchildren.
The family thanks Dover Place Assisted Living and DE Hospice for the care and diligence given to our mother for as long as she lived there.
Memorial services will be Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026 at 12 noon. Friends may call one hour earlier at Trader Funeral Home, Inc., 12 Lotus Street, Dover.
Donations can be made to Delaware Hospice.
