Obituary of Ethel Zimmer

Ethel (Heley) Perlmutter Zimmer, Surrounded by her loving family, Ethel affectionately known as "Skip", passed away on Thursday , March 17, 2011 in Boca Raton, FL in the home she had shared with her niece Dr. Judith P. Lavorgna for the past 14 years. Her son and daughter in law Drs. Stephen and Annemarie Lorenzo Perlmutter of Cromwell were also at her side as was her beloved Golden doodle, Trac. Ethel was born August 17, 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey, the eldest daughter of Elizabeth G. and Walton F. Heley of Pleasant Street, West Hartford, CT. She was predeceased by her two sisters Margaret H. Phelps and Grace H. Bigelow and three brothers Richard, Walton and Robert Heley. Ethel was a graduate of Hall High School and attended St. Joseph's College in West Hartford, CT. She was a costume designer at Hartt School of Music where she worked in collaboration with Moshe Paranov, her husband's uncle, in the Opera Department. She also created and designed costumes for the Wesleyan University 92 Theater Company. Ethel worked with ORT also owned and operated The Upper Window, a consignment shop on Farmington Avenue in West Hartford, for many years. With her quick wit, kind heart and love of friends and family Skip remained a shining star to her son, his wife and only grandson, Christopher Erich Perlmutter and his wife Julia, also of Cromwell, CT and many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, all of whom share deeply the loss of their matriarch and joyful friend. Following the death of her first husband, she married Edward Zimmer of New Britain and lived with him in Glastonbury and Jupiter, FL until his passing in 1993. A graveside service will be held on Saturday March 26, 2011 at 11:30 am in Fairview Cemetery, 200 Whitman Ave., West Hartford, CT. In lieu of flowers, her son requests donation in Ethel's name to Hospice of Palm Beach, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 or a charity of a donor's choice. For online tributes please visit www.mulryanfh.com