Winifred M. Zimmerman

Winifred Morphett Zimmerman, 96, died peacefully Nov. 17, 2025.

Born in Chicago to Frederick and Edna Morphett, Winnie grew up in Harbert, and graduated from New Troy High School. She studied pre-med at the University of Michigan for three years and then transferred to Northwestern Illinois Medical School to earn a physical therapy certification and licensing. She attended post graduate courses in neurodevelopmental treatment for infants and young children at Cornell University in New York. She later earned a master's degree in communication from Western Michigan University.

Winnie married her high school sweetheart Jack Zimmerman, and enjoyed 50 years of marriage, raising five boys, and exploring the world together. In 1950, Winnie began a 44-year career of serving individuals with physical and neurodevelopmental disabilities through the Easter Seal Society and Memorial – Lakeland Hospital. She began working with polio patients through the March of Dimes and the Easter Seal Society. She was the physical therapist for Stump School in Benton Harbor and Gard School in St. Joseph schools, for handicapped children. She worked at Memorial Hospital for 32 years serving hundreds of children with cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. She developed the Infant Treatment Program at the East Seal Society in conjunction with Memorial Hospital in St. Joseph. From 1986-91, she was a professor of pediatric physical therapy at Andrews University Physical Therapy School. She was a guest lecturer for Western Michigan University's Occupational Therapy Program and Child Development Courses.

After retirement, she spent a summer in Romania as a physical therapist for the Doctors Without Borders program, treating children with psychical disabilities and training other physical therapists.

She was president of the East Seal Society, and a consultant on the Ingham County Special Education Curriculum. She was a speaker at the APTA National Convention, the Infant Mental Health State Meeting, and the Easter Seal Society State Annual meeting.

Winnie was a member of the First Congregational Church in St. Joseph, singing in the choir for more than 40 years. After retirement, Winnie and Jack traveled extensively with Sarett Nature Center, visiting all seven continents. Spending time with her children and grandchildren was very important to her. She enjoyed gathering her family together for holiday feasts. She wanted her grandchildren to see some of the amazing places she and Jack had visited and hosted annual family vacations to national parks and other important places. These "Z Tours" were looked forward to and cherished by all of her family.

Winnie is preceded in death by her husband, Jack, and her grandson Dan Zimmerman.

She is survived by her sister, Muriel "Mickey" Lindsay, and her sons: Tim Zimmerman, Jeff (Ann) Zimmerman, Ken Zimmerman, Matt (Marijo) Zimmerman, and Phil and (Morelba Mambie) Zimmerman. Surviving grandchildren are Michelle (Brian) Burgess, Taylor Zimmerman, Maddie (Matt) James, Max (Katie) Zimmerman, Eliott Zimmerman, Quinn Zimmerman, Diana (Tim) Rutti and Allen Zimmerman-Mambie; her four great-grandchildren include: Jack Burgess, Drake Burgess, Maeve Zimmerman and Carter James.

Her body has been cremated by Starks Funeral Home and her ashes will rest with her husband Jack's ashes in the Memorial Garden at the First Congregational Church in St. Joseph. A memorial service for Winnie will take place at the First Congregational Church after the holidays. Memorials may be made to the church and the Sarett Nature Center.