Maria Teresa Zimmerer

A loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and active community member in her hometown of Tecomán, Colima, she was a founding member of the nursing home "Hogar de Ancianos La Purísima Concepción de Tecomán, IAP,” a home for elderly homeless individuals. She spent decades volunteering there. In recognition of her service, she was named "Mujer del Año" (Woman of the Year) in 2010 by the Governor of Colima.

Tere was ahead of her time in Mexico. She earned an accounting certificate and began working at an early age, helping support her brothers so they could attend university. After her marriage, she continued to manage the farm’s finances and accounting with diligence and skill, contributing greatly to her family’s stability and success.

She was known for her fierce loyalty to friends and her legendary cooking at the gatherings she loved to host. One of her many skills and passions was embroidery. She left us many of her beautiful creations, including tablecloths, kitchen and bathroom towels, dresses and blouses. She also loved crocheting slippers (“popochas”) for her family, especially during Christmastime.

Her life was a beautiful tapestry of love, grit, and grace.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Fritz, of 64 years; her parents; a sister; a brother; and a sister-in-law.

She is survived by her four children, Louis, Maria Teresa, Gabriel, and Elizabeth; their spouses; eleven grandchildren; two sisters; three sisters-in-law; a brother; and many lifelong friends who are considered family.

She will be forever in our hearts.