Dorothy "Dot" Marion Zimmerman Estopinal

After a long and wonderful life, Dot Marion Zimmerman Estopinal passed away on April 14, 2026, at the age of 99 years and 9 and a half months.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Isadore Estopinal, her infant son, Daniel, her parents, Marion P. Zimmerman and Cora Brownell Zimmerman, her sister Louise “Carolyn” Zimmerman Wright Garrity, and her life-long friend, Margaret Long Warren.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Stephen (Marie), daughters Catherine “Kitty” Estopinal and Virginia “Ginny” Estopinal Breaux (David), and grandchildren Tracy Estopinal Ballagh (Robert), Matthew Estopinal (Erica), Emily Estopinal Lowe (Brad), Timothy Benton, and Daniel Benton (Barbara), as well as 13 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Born in Edmond, Oklahoma on June 29, 1926, Dorothy moved often as a child throughout Oklahoma and New Mexico.

As a teenager during World War II, Dorothy worked as secretary to the base commander in Albuquerque, where she met Gene Estopinal at a USO dance. They married in Grand Island, Nebraska, before he shipped out to Okinawa. Upon his return (the same day Steve was born), Gene went to college on the GI bill in New Mexico and Alabama, earning a degree in engineering.

Thereafter they settled in Chalmette, Louisiana, where Dorothy became a parishioner and lector at Our Lady of Prompt Succor, and was her husband’s office-everything, from receptionist to file clerk, draftsman and bookkeeper, as well as his dance partner in many, many square dance evenings.

Dorothy’s hobbies included gardening, quilting, sewing, reading, family photography and sometimes even house painting. For her children and many of her nieces and nephews, she was a safe and welcoming presence, reciter of poems, reader aloud of children’s books, singer of silly songs, keeper of family lore and general heart of the family.

After Hurricane Katrina, Dorothy lived with her daughter Kitty in Shreveport, there joining the congregation of St. John Berchman, and serving as a lector there for many years. She also joined the Red River Quilter’s Society and a Bible study group at St. John’s, both of which she enjoyed very much.

Her chief joy, however, was her family, whom she loved unconditionally, and who returned that love completely.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to be held at ST. BERNARD MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 701 W. Virtue St., Chalmette, LA on Tuesday, April 21st from 8:00AM – 10:30AM. A Funeral Mass for Dorothy will follow at OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR CHURCH, 2320 Paris Rd., Chalmette, LA beginning at 11:00AM.

She will be laid to eternal rest in St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery.