Jane A. Zimmerman

          Jane Abernathy Zimmerman was the 3rd child of 4, born to parents Frank and Edna Earl Abernathy on February 1, 1948. They named her Jane Rae Abernathy. Her eldest surviving sister is Susan Bondurant of Wilmington, NC and the next eldest, Anne Abernathy of NC, is deceased. She is also survived by her youngest sibling Patrick Abernathy and his wife Brenda, and their two sons, Scott and Brad Abernathy and their wives, sons and a daughter. Jane is also survived by her only child, Stephanie Orendorf and her two children and Jane’s only grandchildren, Liam and Allison Orendorf, and many other friends, loved ones, and family-like members who will always remember, cherish, and celebrate her life.

          She went to Hildebran High School in NC, class of 1966. When she was 23 years old she had her daughter and shortly thereafter moved to Washington DC and was married briefly but eventually settled in MD, met the love of her life and married Frederick Zimmerman. She worked and retired from Verizon, where she was employed for 20 years and unfortunately soon afterwards her husband Fred passed away in May of 2014. Her life long and best friends, Jearld Wilson was a continuous source of strength as was Cathy Joop, who also sadly passed away in 2014. Also, her loving friend Maria helped her in her day to day life and her helpful neighbor Bruce made life easier for her as well.

          She was known for how beautiful, intelligent, sparky, immensely witty and thoughtful she was as a person and for how she touched the lives of many people that she now, sadly, leaves behind. Anyone who knew her, knew how fiercely she loved her cats and meeting up with the family for lunch dates and touching base with those she loved. To know her is to also know her love of cooking, reading, keeping up with the world by always being online and watching The Voice, making and wearing fun jewelry and looking fabulous all the time! People may not know though that she loved to go out dancing, playing chess and decorating her home with beautiful house plants and flowers. She fought bravely against kidney disease for years and made huge strides against it for quite some time. Now, her spirit can take rest from this wearisome world. She will be buried with her husband Fred at Arlington National Cemetery.

          May she find and take refuge in the hands of our Lord and may she rest in His peace forever.