Florabel Jo Zimmerman Tribute

Belle Zimmerman (nee Carpenter), 85, of Port Townsend, WA, passed away on Saturday, March 21st near San Francisco, in the company of her beloved family.

Daughter of the late Fred and Fern (Taylor) Carpenter (a venerable pioneer family), Florabel Jo Carpenter was born in the attic of a prairie home near Greeley, Colorado, and was raised on the family farm. She married Gilbert Sanford Zimmerman, who was in Greeley studying for the ministry. Their marriage bore four children: Georgia, Daniel, Marc, and Michael. Belle (some knew her as Sadie, or Jo) was a beloved mother and devoted Methodist minister's wife for nearly 25 years.

In Southern California, between her duties as mother and wife of the pastor, Belle began fitting a few classes in, pursuing a long held desire to earn a degree in education. She finally completed her Masters at San Francisco State. Her job search led her to La Junta, Colorado, where she became a valued member of the community, and taught Adult Reading and Composition at Otero Junior College for many years.

This period also saw a blossoming of Belle's love for the creative spirit. Having always fanned the creative flame in her grateful children, she began to allow her own work to develop. She started a regular habit of journaling and kept it up until her passing;  she also began to write a memoir. And there was also painting, which she kept up through the remaining years as well; indeed, she always believed in the restorative power of creative work and talked about it often.

Her late life also brought several vibrant efforts to serve others and stand for what she believed in. She partnered with the Mennonite Community of La Junta, who sent her to Canada where she lived among the Woodland Cree of Sandy Bay, Saskatchewan, developing a community garden. Loved and honored for her service, she was eventually made an elder of the tribe, for this she was justifiably proud.

She lived her last years in the Port Townsend, Washington area, where she once again became a respected member of the community. Together with many of her Quaker friends, she formed what was known as The Women In Black, a group known for its weekly quiet stance against war.  She was an integrative participant in the residence life of San Juan Commons, and taught a biographical writing course for many years. And she gave unsparingly of her time and energy to many efforts, including Habitat for Humanity and the Children’s Thrift.

She is survived by her daughter, Georgia (Zimmerman) and husband Jeff St. Aubyn of Port Orchard, WA; son, Daniel Zimmerman and wife Robin of Hamilton Square, NJ; son, Michael Zimmerman and wife Elizabeth of Portland, OR; grandchildren, Marcus Chapman, Ryan Chapman, Amber Christner, Matthew Zimmerman, Amy Zimmerman, Ariel Zimmerman, Jared St. Aubyn and Zach St. Aubyn; great grandchildren, Everett Chapman, Elleanna Chapman, Magnus Christner, Isabella Christner, Abram Christner, Enzo Zimmerman and was looking forward to the birth of another treasured great-grandchild in June.  She also is survived by brother, Merle Carpenter of Colorado, and dear friend/sister-in-law MJ Carpenter many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her son Marc Zimmerman, her parents and three siblings. 

A memorial service will be held at the historic Pioneer Cemetery near Greeley, Colorado exact location, time and date to be announced at a later date.

Belle Zimmerman requested that gifts in her memory be made to the Quaker peace lobby in Washington, D.C., the Friends Committee on National Legislation. (www.fcnl.org)  Tax-deductible gifts may be sent to the "FCNL Education Fund," 245 Second Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002-5795.