Carolyn May Zimmerman

Carolyn May Zimmerman, 86, of Sylvania, passed away on September 5, 2016 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. She was born in Toledo, Ohio on November 17, 1929, to parents Gladys (Kime) and Charles Miller. Carolyn attended Toledo Public Schools graduating from the former Whitney Vocational High School in 1946 . Her recognition in the advanced secretarial skills program led to her first job at the Bostwick Braun Company. The completion of World War II led to the return of many war veterans, one of which was Carolyn’s future husband, James W. Zimmerman, Sr. A brief courtship led to engagement and marriage on May 15, 1948. As was the custom in that time, a family soon followed which included four sons, Robert, James, Jr., Fred and John. Soon after, the family moved to Holland, Ohio , where they enjoyed the country life. The thirteen acre homestead was the site of numerous yard parities and campouts with friends and neighbors. In 1975, after seeing all four of her sons off to college, she earned her Associates degree in social work at the University of Toledo . She then went on to work for Toledo Public Schools as a social worker for hearing and speech impaired children, where she touched the lives of countless students and families. People often quipped to Carolyn that there was a special place in heaven for the mother of four boys. Although being a mother of four could be challenging at times, nothing filled her with more pride and joy than seeing her sons succeed in their various endeavors. Her mothering skills led to her affectionate nickname “Momma Z “ by which she was known to all of her son’s friends. Her vanity license plate bears that same name. Carolyn was passionate about spending time with her loved ones, whether it was laughing with friends at Red Hat Society functions , Toledo Towne Club meetings and the various German organizations events. She had special affection for her Friday night group, the FROGS. Carolyn was an especially good cook and loved to prepare large holiday meals for her ever increasing family . Her love for the Ohio State Buckeyes was second to none. Carolyn is survived by her sons, Robert Zimmerman, James (Nancy) Zimmerman Jr., John (Marsha) Zimmerman; daughters-in-law, Carol Zimmerman, Martha Amstutz; grandchildren, Susan Zimmerman (Ryan Pliner), Jeffery (Melissa) Zimmerman, Robin (Ryan) Helzerman, April (Neal) Schafer, James Zimmerman III, Mary Zimmerman, Elizabeth Zimmerman, Abby Zimmerman, Kate Zimmerman and Pete Zimmerman. Great grandchildren, Lucas and Felix Helzerman. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James W. Zimmerman Sr., her son, Fred Zimmerman, and her brother, Charles Miller. Visitation hours will be Thursday, September 8 from 2 to 8 pm at the Walter Funeral Home, 4653 Glendale Avenue, Toledo, with funeral services at Zoar Lutheran Church, 3144 East Indiana Ave., Perrysburg, at 10:30 am, Friday, September 9. Burial services will immediately follow at Springfield Township Cemetery, 7620 Airport Highway, Holland, Ohio. Online condolences may be left at walterfuneralhome.com. Those wishing to offer memorials in Carolyn’s name are asked to consider the Old Newsboys Goodfellow Association at www.toledonewsboys.org.