Obituary of Janet Zimmerman

JANET DIGBY ZIMMERMAN Born April 16, 1928 in Brantford, Ontario and died in Toronto on May 17, 2012. Janet Zimmerman (nee Lewis) was the dearly beloved mother of Barbara Zimmerman (Stephen Flynn), Thomas Zimmerman, and Mary Zimmerman and predeceased by youngest daughter Kate Zimmerman (John Kim). She was most loving grandmother to Lewis Reis, Julia Reis, Neto Reis and Janet Zimmerman Kim and is survived also by her dear sister and only sibling Mary Knowles. She will be missed by Adam Zimmerman. From princes to paupers, Janet Zimmerman charmed all who met her. She epitomized that rarest of traits in today's society: class. She was generous, kind, caring, a voracious reader, stimulatingly intellectual, wonderfully funny and fun-loving, interested in everything from ants to ancient Greece, beautiful, stylish, uncomplaining and self-sacrificing. Most highly, she valued thought, ideas, and the ever fascinating lives of people from all époques and other life forms. Life's hardships were borne with stoicism and grace. She loved her family, friends, books, history and skiing - possibly in different order at different times. Janet was proudly descended from United Empire Loyalists who left Connecticut in the late 1700's and settled in St. John, New Brunswick. Her direct ancestors fought in the war of 1812 and she inherited the heart of a true Canadian. She loved nothing more than to watch snow fall on a cold winter evening. We will miss her always. A service will be held in CHRIST CHURCH DEER PARK, 1570 Yonge Street, Toronto on Wednesday, May 30th, 2012 at 1 o'clock. In lieu of flowers, donations to the David Suzuki Foundation or Toronto Wildlife Centre would be appreciated. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.