Jane Zimmerman

Jane Dorothy Zimmerman, 82, of Lake Forest, CA died Monday, June 21, 2021 at her residence. Jane was born March 28, 1939 in Toledo, Ohio to Ralph William Zimmerman and Helen Genevieve (Rock) Zimmerman.

In 1954, she moved with her mother and two younger brothers to California. At the age of 15, Jane left the urban culture of Toledo, where she felt that she had everything, for a casual life style in the small city of Garden Grove. She eventually adapted to the change, gaining respect from her peers for her scholastic abilities. At the end of high school, she received a scholarship from U.C. Berkeley. There, she earned a bachelor degree (with honors) in 1961 while enjoying life at Cal with members of her Alpha Omicron Pi sorority sisters. It was also here that she rekindled feelings for a big-city culture in visiting neighboring San Francisco; this continued on the next forty years.

Following her formal education, she worked as a parole officer in nearby Oakland, while also developing a hobby using needle and thread as a seamstress (making fashionable clothes). In addition, during her “single” life after college her love for cats began; there would rarely again be a time in her life when she was without at least one cat at home. They became her “children”.

In the ensuing years she went on to try other forms of needlework, eventually devoting most of her time maximizing her knowledge and her skills in needlepoint. No longer was this to be a hobby: Jane became hooked on needlepoint for life. She became an amazing designer and teacher, sharing her knowledge at seminars throughout the nation, as well as publishing many books and teaching kits for her students. She specialized in English Blackwork, historical needlework, as well as the use of silk and metal thread in her work.

Jane met her future husband Roland Maples as she began her career in needlepoint; together they would move to the East Bay home where they lived until their retirement and final relocation to Southern California in 2006. She was preceded in death by Roland (after 30 years of marriage). Younger brother Tom, and nephew Matthew, died in 2020 and 2019 respectively. Jane is survived by her brother Pete and his wife Judi; nieces Nicole and Grace; nephews Todd, Thomas, Kyle, and Lee.

In choosing cremation for herself she directed to have her ashes scattered of the beautiful Pacific coast of Orange County.

There are no plans for services at this time.

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