Elizabeth “Betty” Zimkus

Born June 30, 1918 in Amsterdam, NY, Betty was the second daughter to Frank and Mary Tenerowicz. She moved to Stamford, CT at age 3 and lived in a two-family house above the boy who would eventually become her husband, Ed Zimkus. It was a lifetime love affair. After graduating from Stamford High School, and later secretarial school, she worked for a time in Stamford and NYC. Betty was an accomplished pianist, who performed with an all male band while still in her teens. She would go on to teach piano for more than 60 years, instilling the love of music in scores of young people. She married Ed Zimkus after he returned from service during WWII. With three sons, Betty and Ed moved to Ohio in 1964. Widowed in ’76, Betty worked for 10 years at Sears offices. Having previously taught at St. Mary’s School in Stamford for some years, Betty later volunteered as a teacher’s aide at Driscoll School in Centerville, Ohio, as well as giving piano lessons at Hithergreen Senior Center in Washington Township. For the last 6 years, Betty was a resident at St. Leonard’s Senior Living in Centerville. Betty passed on June 21, nine days before her 97th birthday. Besides her beloved husband, Ed, she is preceded in death by her sister, Stasia Twardy. She is survived by her sons: Bill (Pam Levey) Zimkus, Colorado Springs, CO; John (Pat) Zimkus, Lebanon, OH; Ed “Ted” (Rob Janoff) Zimkus, Chicago, IL; 3 grandchildren: Laura Zimkus, Colorado Springs, CO; Charlie (Svetlana Pelova) Zimkus, Columbus, OH; A.J. (Danielle) Zimkus, Cameron, NC; 6 great grandchildren, Morgan, Jacob, Rebecca, Evan, Asa, Jaxon. Mass of Christian Burial 1 pm Friday, June 26, 2015 at St. Leonard’s Chapel, 8100 Clyo Rd in Centerville, Ohio. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 am until 12 noon Friday at the Tobias Funeral Home - Far Hills Chapel 5471 Far Hills Ave at Rahn Rd. Donations can be made in Betty’s name to Hospice of Dayton. Online condolences may be may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com. “Music is the prayer that the heart sings.”