Jane Ellen Tousignant Zimmerman

GWINN, MI – Jane Ellen Tousignant Zimmerman, born in Gwinn, Michigan on Dec. 11, 1920, passed quietly from this world on September 11, 2019. She came just three months short of her 99th birthday, outliving 13 siblings and 2 husbands. She leaves behind four adult children, seven grandchildren and a growing population of great-grandchildren. Jane was a good woman, involved in charity work for many years before age slowed her down.

She was always a character and those of us with strong memories of her feel grins from our memories along with the grief of her passing. She was a character to the end. One of the last things she told her daughter was a reminder that her epitaph should be “Jane. She meant well.” Her sense of humor never left her. She always loved a good game of cribbage or bingo. While in her 90’s, she entertained visitors with a recitation of the poem “Little Orphan Annie. After delivering several verses, she stumbled attempting to remember a phrase. She couldn’t believe it happened! When asked if she were in Congress, what leadership position would she choose, she replied “The Whip – I would whip those people in both parties in shape.” Visitors and “real handwritten letters” always made her feel special. Some of her nieces have been particularly faithful in their letters, gift packages and visits.

Her memorial service will be a celebration of her life, held at Saint Julie Billiart’s Catholic Church in Newbury Park, California at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 2nd. Internment will be family only the following day.