Gloria Verret Zimmermann

Gloria Teresa Verret Zimmermann, 88, joined her husband, parents and brother in their Eternal Home. She passed away peacefully, Wednesday, April 23, 2014, in a local hospital. Born on September 15, 1925 to Antoine J. and Mable Judice Verret in their home on Belden Street in Lake Charles, Mrs. Zimmermann was a lifelong resident of Lake Charles. She attended Second Ward and Central Schools and was a 1943 graduate of Lake Charles High School. After finishing school, she worked at the Association of Commerce and for Mr. Carol McCall at the County Agents Office. In December, 1946, she was introduced to Joseph Zimmermann at a Christmas party in his parents' home. They were married June 9, 1947 in the Immaculate Conception Church. Mrs. Zimmermann was a member of the Altar Society of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, where she also sang in the choir. In December, 1984, Joe and Gloria received medals from Bishop Jude Speyer in recognition of their devoted service to the Diocese of Lake Charles. Joe and Gloria had four children, all of whom survive them: Loraine Suarez of Lake Charles, Ann Hanson and husband Charles of Richardson, Texas, Paul Zimmermann and wife Sue, also of Lake Charles, and Jane Carfagno and husband Kenneth of Sugar Land, Texas. The family grew to include seven grandchildren, Eric Hanson, Meredith Browning and husband Tyson, Bryan Lavoi and wife Stacy, Karl Zimmermann and wife Lisa, and Lee, Drew and Jon Paul Zimmermann. They also had seven great grandchildren, Rachel and Simon Browning, Sydney and Sadie Lavoi, Georgia Hanson, and Maggie and Oakley Zimmermann. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of 61 years, Joseph V. Zimmermann, and her brother, Gene Verret. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2014, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Lake Charles under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Father Marshall Boulet will serve as celebrant. Entombment will be at Consolata Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her six grandsons. Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. on Thursday, with a 6 p.m. rosary, and will resume on Friday at the funeral home from 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The family would like to thank Dr. Manley Jordan and the staff at Memorial Hospital and Amedysis Hospice for their gentle and dedicated care of their mother. For the wonderful staff and friends at Villa Maria Retirement Center and for their many kindnesses, the family is truly grateful. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, The Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception church, 935 Bilbo St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 or to the charity of one's choice.