Ruth Berdeen Davis Zimmerman, 95, passed away Thursday, July 1, 2010, in Long Beach, Calif.
Born Aug. 4, 1914, in Meadville, a daughter of George J. and Anna M. Buzza Davis, Ruth attended Meadville High School. Editor of her high school newspaper, Ruth graduated in three years as valedictorian at age 16.
Preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, John J. Zimmerman, who passed away on Dec. 6, 1984, Ruth is survived by her sons, John W. Zimmerman (Judy), of Mesa, Ariz., and Kenneth L. Zimmerman of Huntington Beach, Calif.; and by grandchildren, Christine Mushinsky, Sondra Schmidt, Shaun Zimmerman, Dean Zimmerman, Susan Zimmerman and Shelley Zimmerman; by great-grandchildren, Danielle Schmidt, Kyle Schmidt, Danielle Mushinsky, Christopher Mushinsky, Ashley Zimmerman, Curtis Schmidt, James Zimmerman, Alexis Schmidt, Dylan Zimmerman, Kaitlynn Zimmerman and Cameron Zimmerman; and by great-great-grandson, Sebastian Zimmerman.
Ruth studied constantly, loved horticulture, reading, science, architecture and art, serving as a docent for the Art Museum of Long Beach City College in Long Beach, Calif. She published two volumes of memoirs and family history. One fellow docent remarked that “she knew more than any Ph.D. I have known.”
A private memorial service is pending.
Ruth was a 30-year breast cancer survivor and the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.