Blanche Louise Zimmerman

Blanche Louise Zimmerman, 99, passed away peacefully on November 1, All Saints Day, at Academy Point in Mystic, surrounded by the love and prayers of her entire family. Blanche was born on June 10, 1918, in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Charles and Bessie Wagner and graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1936.

In 1944 she married Walter John Zimmerman in Boca Raton, Florida, where he was stationed at the time. He passed away on June 3, 1998. After the war, Blanche and Walt moved to Philadelphia and eventually settled in New Castle, Delaware, where they resided for 48 years. After Walt’s death, Blanche moved to Pawcatuck, Connecticut to be close to her daughter, Sandi, and lived quite independently until just a few months ago when she moved to Academy Point in Mystic.

Blanche led an incredibly full life, she enjoyed her jobs counting money in the treasury of John Wanamaker and selling Avon door-to door. Her favorite job was working for Harry L. Adams, Inc. in New Castle, Delaware for 40 years where she developed life-long friendships. Blanche and Walt loved to travel the East Coast and especially enjoyed returning to Myrtle Beach. Blanche’s passions also included cooking fabulous meals, baking anything that could go in an oven, and knitting cozy sweaters and mittens for her family. And, she loved to talk!

Blanche will be most remembered as a selfless and devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her daughter, Sandi, was the center of her universe, which she lovingly expanded to include her son-in-law and grandchildren and their families. She expressed her love for her family and friends by providing us with an endless parade of delicious culinary creations. Blanche was very proud to be a charter member of Hope Lutheran Church in New Castle, Delaware, but it was the entire congregation of the United Congregational Church of Westerly, UCC who readily “adopted” her, loved her, and prayed for her endlessly. Blanche leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Gary Davis of Pawcatuck; her granddaughters, Michelle Benoit and Jennifer Woodhall, and their husbands, William Benoit and Robert Woodhall; and her grandson, Jonathan Davis and his wife, Courtney Davis. She was also the adored Nanny to seven great-grandchildren: Kali, Robert, Emma, and Maddison Woodhall, Sarah and William Benoit, and Bailey Davis. She is also survived by a dear niece, Linda Kreibick. In addition to her parents and husband, Blanche was predeceased by her brother, Charles Wagner, and her sister, Mary Kreibick.

Blanche’s family would like to express their deep appreciation to the entire staff of Academy Point in Mystic for the loving and joyful care they provided her in these last few months. In addition, we are so grateful to the countless people who prayed for her in her times of need. She always felt surrounded by God’s love. We all cherish the blessed time that we had Blanche in our lives and will miss her care and love tremendously. She was our rock star and hero.

A visitation hour will be held from 6-7pm on Thursday, November 9 at Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home, 121 Main Street, Westerly, RI. The memorial service follow at 7pm. An interment service will take place at 11am, Saturday, November 11, in Gracelawn Memorial Park, New Castle, Delaware. In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests donations to the either the American Cancer Society to honor the fact that she was a cancer survivor or the United Congregational Church of Westerly, UCC, 9 Castle Hill Road, Pawcatuck, CT 06379 to support their pollinator garden project and the flowers, hummingbirds, and butterflies that she loved so much.

For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com

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