Betty Garland Zimmerman's Obituary
Betty ZimmermanFebruary 2, 1923 – January 16, 2018Betty Garland Zimmerman was born to Charles Raymond and Esther Stewart (Burrow) in Powers, Oregon on February 2, 1923, and died January 16, 2018 at her home in Paradise Hills. During a life lived well and long she was a beloved daughter, sister, niece, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend. She was a voracious reader, an avid shoe collector, a lighthouse keeper, a lover of animals and raiser of abandoned baby kittens. She was aided and encouraged in her shoe collecting by her former son-in-law Joe Angel Martinez. She loved to dance and joined a line-dancing troupe in Chula Vista.Betty married Harold William Zimmerman July 2, 1944 and they raised four children; Darla Rae Lane, Lura Lee Zimmerman, Nedra Kay Martinez, Blane William Zimmerman and readily adopted three Brazilian exchange student sons. She had four grandchildren; Joey Angel Martinez and his wife Kellie, Erin Michele Ramirez (Lane) and her husband Joe, Adam William Stewart Zimmerman, Nicole Jean Burke (Zimmerman) and her husband Brian, and Karla Marie Martinez. She had four great grand children and numerous siblings, nephews, nieces, and cousins, and friends. Betty was also “mom” to a select few of the friends of her children. She was always ready to share in any event that involved her family from Chili Cook-offs to Padre Games to Scottish Festivals to large gatherings of her extended family. Sadly many friends and family members died during her long life including her husband Harold, son Blane, grandson Adam, and Son-in-Law Michael Allen LaneBetty had a passion for helping others, especially children, and for making the world she lived in a better place. She was an original “Rosy the Riveter” building airplanes in Seattle for Boeing. She was a lifetime Girl Scout serving many roles from Troop Leader to Vice President of San Diego-Imperial Girl Scout Council. She was a Cub Scout den mother and Little League champion. Through Children’s Hospital she helped new parents become better parents in San Diego and at Camp Pendleton. Many who went to Paradise Hills Elementary will remember Mrs. Z as their teacher aide, or lunchroom and playground monitor. Betty was a member of The Children’s Dental Health Association, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, PTA, Navy Wives Club, Navy Relief Society, and RV group Traveling TROAS. All her life she attended Christian Science Churches and was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Chula Vista where she volunteered in their reading room.You may have seen her wearing her green shirt uniform at the San Diego Airport before she retired at 93. She loved being a volunteer Information Ambassador and helping all of those confused travelers find their way. It was the perfect place for a woman with a twinkle in her eye, a beautiful smile, an interest in people, and an insatiable desire to help.Her laugh was infectious and you might find her promoting a cause while wearing a bunny suit or being kissed by a whale. While Betty traveled the world her hosting of foreign exchange students gave her a special love for Brazil.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Just In Time for Foster Youth, jitfosteryouth.org or the charity of your choice.A celebration of Betty’s life will be held on Thursday January 25 at 11:00 AM at Greenwood Memorial Park in the Garden Chapel.A reception will be held at the First Church of Christ, Scientist, 41 I Street, Chula Vista at 1:00 PM .
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