Dorothy Jean Zimba 1931-2009 BENNINGTON On Oct. 28, 2009, Dorothy Jean Zimba, of North Bennington, died in her sleep of natural causes. She was 77 years old. Dorothy was born in Chattanooga, Tenn. in 1931. In her first marriage, to Ray Bailey of Chattanooga, she had two sons. Later she married Richard Zimba of Dearborn Heights, Mich.; the couple had three children together and remained happily married until the end of Dorothy’s life. For decades, husband and wife worked alongside one another in the family business, Rip’s Drive-In, a suburban Detroit landmark during its time. A gifted storyteller with a lively laugh, Dorothy was admired for her outgoing personality and incisive intelligence. She was a crossword prodigy and a formidable opponent in card games of all kinds. Her hobbies included needlework, gardening, collecting antiques, and painting landscapes and still lifes. Dorothy’s health began to decline in 2007, and at that time she relocated from Michigan to Vermont with her husband. Dorothy will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Richard; by her five children, David Bailey of Issaquah, Wash., Wayne Bailey of Southgate, Mich., Intissar Greene of Mesa, Ariz., Jilly Dybka of Kingston Springs, Tenn., and Dr. Jason Zimba of Pownal; by her five grandchildren, Sgt. Erik Bailey of Camp Liberty, Iraq, Robert Bailey of Monroe, Mich., Jonathan Bailey of Issaquah, Wash., Abigail Zimba of Pownal, and Claire Elizabeth-Jean Zimba of Pownal; by her two great-grandchildren, Madalyn Bailey of Monroe, Mich., and Joanna Bailey of Monroe, Mich.; by her sister, Patsy Ramsey of Ringold, Ga.; by her two nephews, Chris Ramsey of Tampa, Fla., and Barry Ramsey of Ringold, Ga.; by her grandniece, Valerie Ramsey of Tampa, Fla.; by her great-grandniece, Caitlyn Ramsey of Tampa, Fla.; and by many cousins.
12 Responses to “My mom’s obituary”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
It sounds like she left a huge footprint on the world. What an example to us all.
Thanks for sharing this, Jilly. My deepest sympathies and best wishes for you and your family. What a wonderful life she seems to have had!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. Take good care.
My thoughts are with you and your family Jilly. That is a wonderful and heartfelt obituary. Peace.
Thanks, Jilly–she sounds like a pip! Best wishes.
I’m so sorry for you loss…and send my thoughts to you and your family. What a tribute this obituary is to your mother’s ongoing story.
Sorry to hear your news. Do take care of yourself. Best, Don
Sending my love and thoughts to you, Jilly. I’ll be in Nashville on Dec. 10 for a reading at OutLoud Books. I’ll back channel more details soon. xo
Coming by and reading. Again very sorry for your loss. Your mother was clearly a marvelous woman. Thanks for posting this here.
(((((jilly)))))
sending you love
This day has been filled with sadness. This morning I attended the funeral of the father of a close friend. And now this news about your mom. Thanks for telling us about her. I send deepest sympathies.
condolensces ((((Jilly))))