Louise Irene Anton Zimmerman

Our beloved and cherished mother, Louise Irene Anton Zimmerman, 92, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 26, 2013 at the home of her daughter, Susan, in Virginia. Louise, lovingly known as “Babe,” was born August 2, 1921 in Tracy, CA to Louis and Grace Anton. After graduation from Tracy High in 1939, she attended College of the Pacific in Stockton, majoring in music. While at COP, she sang on the radio show “Friday Night Frolics” with fellow student Dave Brubeck.

With the outbreak of World War II, Louise began her brief singing career entertaining the troops, where she met the love of her life, Lieutenant Eugene Zimmerman. He swept her off her feet and they were married two weeks later. They eventually had five children, and Gene's Air Force career took them all over the country, including Alaska and Hawaii.

Louise had the gift of homemaking and hospitality and enjoyed cooking, sewing and gardening. While living on their modest military budget, she made family camping trips seem like first class travel. She loved being involved in Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, church groups and school PTAs.

When Gene retired from the military in 1964, they made Pacific Grove their home. After losing her husband in 1977, Louise focused on spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She traveled throughout Europe and devoted her later years toward helping others, driving elderly friends to church, appointments and senior citizen meetings, where she served as president. Spending her final months of life at daughter Susan's home in Virginia, her sun-filled days were spent bird watching and enjoying nature.

Louise was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Eugene, and is survived by her five children, Raymond (Nancy) Zimmerman of Lincoln, CA, Susan (James) McDermott of Catlett, VA, Trude Renken of Pacific Grove, Julie Randall of Carmel Valley, and Grace (James) Mucci of Rossmoor, CA; grandchildren, Matthew (Jill) and Jenny Randall, Bradley (Melissa) Zimmerman, Marie, Mark (Laura) and Emma McDermott, and Adam (Felicia) Mucci; great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Olivia, and Sophia Randall, and Payton and Sydney Mucci; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Louise will always be loved and cherished.

A funeral service will be held at The Little Chapel by-the-Sea on Saturday, September 7 at 2:00 p.m. with burial following at El Carmelo Cemetery, Pacific Grove. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to The Salvation Army, Monterey Peninsula Corps, 1491 Contra Costa Street, Seaside, CA 93955 or to Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate