Miriam R. (Richman) Zimmer

Miriam R. Zimmer, 95, of Danbury, wife of the late Dr. Ramon P. Zimmer died on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at Danbury Hospital. A  Gathering will take place on Sunday, October 3, 2021, from 2 PM to 5 PM at the Residence of Mrs. Zimmer with a Memorial Service beginning at 2 PM.  

Contributions in Miriam's memory may be made to the Danbury Concert Association Inc., P.O. Box 432, Danbury, CT  06813-0432 or to a charity of choice.

Miriam Richman Zimmer has passed away on September 28, 2021, at 95 years of age. She was born in Yonkers, New York on May 10, 1926, to Benjamin and Yetta (Kelkofsky) Richman. At age 4, Miriam and her family moved to Danbury, Connecticut where she remained until her passing. Miriam attended all local schools in Danbury, including the elementary schools White Street and Balmforth Avenue. Her secondary school education included Danbury High School, graduating in 1944, Danbury Teacher’s College, graduating in 1948, and, many years later, obtained a Master’s of Science Degree from Western Connecticut State University in 1986. Miriam took great pride in sharing her childhood memories of growing up in the ‘town’ of Danbury with family and friends. As a child, Miriam recalls that her mother was forever on the lookout for apartments with low rent. As a consequence, Miriam’s family moved from Locust Avenue, Stone Street, and in two apartments right next door to each other on Balmforth Avenue. Ultimately, Miriam’s parents bought a home on Park Place. Miriam recounts the fact that her primary form of transportation as a child was walking. She walked from home to school and back home again for lunch just to repeat the home to school to home sequence in the afternoon. When she wanted to play with her friends, it included walking on a winter day to State Street or to Wooster Cemetery for sledding or to local ponds for ice skating. In the summer, the walk took her to a friend’s backyard on Deer Hill Avenue for tennis or to Wildman’s Landing for swimming. One of those summer days’ walks to Wildman’s Landing led her to meet the love of her life. Miriam met Ramon Zimmer at age 14 and from that time forward, Miriam began a new chapter in her life. Following Miriam’s college graduation, Ramon’s completed service as a pilot in the U.S. Navy, and his early graduation from Tufts University, Miriam and Ramon were wed on June 20, 1948, at the United Jewish Center followed by a reception at the Hotel Green. Her love for Ramon was evident throughout their 46 years of marriage. After the wedding, they took a honeymoon to Pennsylvania and to Niagara Falls. Following the honeymoon, the newlyweds moved to Oak Park, Illinois where Ramon attended Loyola Dental School while Miriam taught kindergarten at two local elementary schools. Upon Ramon’s graduation, they returned to Danbury where Ramon opened up a dental practice that spanned 41 years. Miriam was right by his side working in the office as a receptionist the entire length of the practice. Miriam’s and Ramon’s dedication to each other extended beyond the workplace. Together they enjoyed tennis, golf, swimming, and Ramon’s ultimate love of sailing. Although Miriam had many interests over the years, she was a lifelong patron of the arts. As a young girl, Miriam was able to easily recognize and label classical music pieces, even after only hearing the first few notes of a piece! She was a decades-long member of the Danbury Concert Association, a season ticket holder to the Metropolitan Opera House, and a season ticket holder to the Long Wharf Theater in New Haven, CT. The classical music station, MNR, was a constant morning accompaniment to Miriam’s routines of reading the New York Times, reading the Danbury News-Times along usually completing the Danbury News Times’ Monday-Wednesday crossword puzzle. She religiously kept up with politics on the TV and she effortlessly won the majority of hands of Gin Rummy that she played with her children. Miriam continued to pursue her love of swimming at the Brookfield YMCA. Swimming followed by an opportunity to chat with friends over a cup of coffee was added to her array of activities. The restrictions of the pandemic curtailed her swimming at the Y. But, Miriam’s social drive could not be squashed. Recently, Miriam would be seen sitting in her driveway, soaking in the sun and watching a flock of birds repeatedly take flight from and return to a neighbor’s rooftop. While outside, she would also extend a cheerful greeting to those passing by and was absolutely thrilled when they would wave in return. Of course, Miriam’s full life was enhanced by the love of her growing family. Thank goodness for technology, the restrictions of the pandemic were not able to restrict the daily phone calls, FaceTimes, and portal videos, and socially distanced interactions between Miriam and her grandchildren and her four beloved great-grandchildren. Miriam’s family was her pride and joy! Miriam was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and by her three brothers Leon, Seymour, and Paul. She is survived by her daughters, Carol Zimmer Bisbano and Anne Zimmer Levine (Jeff). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Alison Bisbano and Matt Bisbano and Jessica Levine Stoeckeler (Keith), and Rachel Levine Penwell (Rob). The absolute joys of her life are her great-grandchildren, Emme Stoeckeler, Arlo Stoeckeler, Poppy Penwell and Owen Penwell. Miriam is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Miriam’s quick wit and sense of humor continued to the end of her life and will be remembered by friends and family. For example, in an effort to help Miriam, one might typically ask her, “Are you comfortable?” to which she immediately replied, “I make a living!” To Miriam from all who loved you, we hope you are comfortable! 

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