Obituaries

On September 16, 2024, Virginia (Ginny) Utter Zimmermann peacefully danced her final dance just a few months after celebrating her 90th birthday.

Ginny was born and raised in the Bronx, in New York City – a fact with which she started every conversation! She grew up with and married the love of her life, Bob Zimmermann, in 1955 and they shared 57 wonderful years hand-in-hand. She will be greatly missed by her two daughters, Joanne Watkins (Jerry) and Nancy Benton (Michael), plus her four grandchildren: Robbie Watkins (Whitney), Tori Lizotte (Alex), Jessica Vandygriff (Nathan) and Parker Dente (Cory). She was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren, who kept her smiling – Hayden, Harper and Brooks Watkins, Leo and Evett Lizotte, Kylie and Noah Vandygriff and Sutton Dente.

Ginny was fortunate to enjoy many years as a stay-at-home mother. She later worked at Trinity Lutheran School, at Denbigh Presbyterian Church and finally retired after almost 20 years at Newport News Shipbuilding (Newport News Industrial).

Ginny knew no strangers! She spent decades enjoying breakfast at Hardee’s in both Williamsburg and Yorktown, where she indulged in her passion for a Cinnamon Roll with extra icing and a Diet Coke every morning. When Hardee’s closed their dining room during Covid, she continued to get her breakfast from the Hardee’s drive-thru and brought it to Chick-Fil-A next door! She looked forward to seeing her ‘friends’ from both places daily.

Ginny truly valued her many close friendships that spanned decades – as many as 70 years. Bob’s college classmates from 1952 became lifelong family friends. Glendale Pool provided three generations of friends who became family. There were friends from the Hilton Jr Women’s Club, church, work, bridge and tennis. The Chesapeake Retirement Community, where she had lived for the past eight years, renewed old friendships and introduced her to new friendships. Many friends called or sent ‘Thinking of You’ cards regularly. Ginny knew and appreciated how blessed she was to have been surrounded by love her entire life and was extremely grateful for her many, many dear friends.

One of Ginny’s proudest accomplishments, aside from her family, was her graduation from Christopher Newport College in 1988. Once her daughters went to college, it was her turn! That was her one personal goal that she wanted to ensure was brought to fruition.

Anyone who knew Ginny knows how much she loved music! She came alive when the music began. Her friends at The Chesapeake will especially remember this past year when Ginny would ‘dance’ in her wheelchair from the front row as the wonderful entertainment reminded her of what a special part music played in her life.

Ginny’s family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of The Chesapeake Retirement Community who provided loving care for her, most recently in the Health Care and Memory Support units. Additionally, Ginny’s companion, Pat, and dear friends embraced her with love at every visit. Per Ginny’s request, there will be no funeral service. The family will host a casual reception to celebrate Ginny’s life, where we can share fond memories of her, on November 4, 2024, from 2:00-4:00pm at The Chesapeake Retirement Community, 955 Harpersville Road. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to The Chesapeake Benevolent Fund, c/o VBH Foundation, 3961 Stillman Parkway, Glen Allen, VA 23060 or online at https://lifespireliving.org/give/giving/ or to the Alzheimer’s Association, https://www.alz.org. Please designate your gift in memory of Virginia Zimmermann.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23601.