DONNALEE FOY ZIMMERMAN

DonnaLee Foy Zimmerman, age 69, passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Saturday, October 15, 2016, after a prolonged illness. She was born on April 16, 1947, in Philadelphia, PA, the only child of Ralph and June Kerr Foy. She graduated from Bellevue School of Nursing in New York City and worked as a pediatric Registered Nurse on both the east and west coasts. DonnaLee relocated to Fresno, CA after she married, and later divorced. She received a Master's degree in art from California State University, Fresno, in May of 1983, the same month her only son, Ralph Austin Zimmerman, was born. DonnaLee continued nursing while also active in the valley art community and homeschooling Austin. Her love of teaching prompted her to get a credential and a second Master's in math education from Fresno Pacific University. She taught at Norseman Elementary School for six years, and ten more years at McLane High School, where she was chair of the Art Department for eight years. Since she retired five years ago, she faithfully volunteered for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for neglected and abused children. DonnaLee loved chorale music and through her adult life, she traveled internationally with university, church and community choirs. A talented quilt maker, DonnaLee made dozens of quilts for charity and taught quilting classes. Her passion for missions led her to be ordained as Missions Elder at University Presbyterian Church and to travel with medical and public health teams to Laos, Russia, and China. She is survived by her son, Austin Zimmerman and his wife Michelle; and scores of friends who have been family to her. A Memorial Service will be held at University Presbyterian Church of Fresno on Saturday, October 22, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. Remembrances may be made to the Garden of Hope Ministries, 2828 W. Taylor Ave., Visalia, CA 93291; Champ Camp, Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, 911 H St., Fresno, CA 93721; or Central California SPCA, 103 S. Hughes Ave., Fresno, CA 93706.