Ruth Joan (McNeill) Zimmerman

Ruth J. (McNeill) Zimmerman 91, of Covenant Living of Keene, NH, died on January 19, 2024, surrounded by her family. Ruth was born on September 13, 1932, in Fitchburg, Mass. and was the daughter of the late William and Catherine (Minaudiere) McNeill.

Ruth attended Keene schools, graduated from Keene High School in 1950 and was employed until 1960 by Peerless Insurance Company of Keene in various roles including Executive Secretary to the President.

When Ruth and Bill were courting in the late 1950s, she became the female vocalist with the Allan Kendall Orchestra of Keene. Inasmuch as Bill was playing in the orchestra every Friday and Saturday night, this was one way they could be together!

In 1960, she married the love of her life, Dr. William G. Zimmerman, Jr. ("Bill"), at St Bernard's Church in Keene and shortly thereafter, they moved to Coral Gables, Florida, where two of their five children were born. Ruth spent most of her time typing and editing all of Bill's papers and dissertations for his master's and doctoral degrees while she earned her PhT degree ("Putting Husband Through"). She also worked full time as Office Manager and Executive Secretary to the President of American CalMal in Hialeah, Florida.

Upon returning to Hanover, NH in 1963, where Bill became Superintendent of Schools, Ruth gave birth to three more daughters and became a full time "Mom", a position she discharged with extraordinary skill and love. Bill and Ruth moved to Wayland, Mass in 1971 when Bill became Superintendent of Schools there. In 1983, with the children off to college or in high school, Ruth returned to the workforce as Office Manager and Executive Secretary to the President of Engineering, Planning and Management, a nuclear engineering firm in nearby Framingham, Mass.

Music was a very significant part of Ruth's life. At an early age, Ruth taught herself to play the piano. She had a beautiful soprano voice, sang in the Keene High School Acapella Choir and in a very active high school trio. She was the soprano soloist at St Bernard's Church in Keene and, later, at St. Denis Church in Hanover and St. Zepherin's Church in Wayland, Mass. In addition to Sunday services, she was soprano soloist for many weddings and funerals. Even as Mother-of-the-Bride, she sang "Ave Maria" (in Latin) at all five of her daughters' weddings!

Ruth was a very religious person, with a deep and consummate Catholic faith and a special devotion to Mother Mary, which guided her daily living and interactions with others.

Ruth's interest in gardening and bird watching were paramount throughout her life. She had several flower gardens, and sometimes a rock garden as well, in all of their homes and especially at their beach house in York Beach, Maine. Her bird feeders were prime battle stations between the birds, the squirrels and Ruth but provided her with many pleasant hours identifying and observing the birds.

Family has always been the cornerstone of life for Ruth and Bill. They have enjoyed many large and active family gatherings several times a year, especially at their beach house in York Beach, Maine. Ruth was always the consummate hostess, making certain that all was in good order and that everyone had a good time. Through the years, Ruth and Bill spent many exciting hours and days attending athletic contests, concerts, recitals, and plays in which their five daughters and seventeen grandchildren participated.

In addition to her husband of 64 years, Bill, Ruth is survived by her daughters: Joan and husband Peter Mattila of Yarmouth Port, MA; Judy and husband Michael Doherty of Hilton Head, SC; Kathy and husband Jim Bennett of So. Portland, ME.; Mary Pat and husband Scott Parker of Sterling, MA; Theresa and husband Shawn Lillie of Stratham, NH, seventeen grandchildren, a nephew and niece; and a sister-in-law, Martha Zimmerman of Keene. A sister-in-law, Susan Zimmerman, predeceased her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 1:30PM in St. Bernard Catholic Church, 185 Main Street, Keene. Burial with committal prayers will follow the mass in the St. Joseph Cemetery, Lower Main Street, Keene.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in Ruth's memory to the St. Vincent de Paul Society (for the poor) ℅ St. Bernard's Church, 173 Main Street, Keene, NH 03431, or to a charity of one's choice.