Barbara Connell Zimmermann
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Barbara Connell Zimmermann, 95, who lived most of her life in Kansas City, Missouri, and Mission Hills, Kansas, died Tuesday, August 23, after a long illness.
She was born in Kansas City on May 14, 1927, the daughter of Ruth Elton (Williamson) and the prominent physician Dr. Evan S. Connell. Known as “Bobbie” to family and friends, she grew up attending school at Notre Dame de Sion and Sunset Hill.
Her college years took her Bennington College in Vermont and Kansas University, where she met her husband Matthew H. Zimmermann. They were married one day short of 63 years.
She served as a Gray Lady volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital, was a scout leader and enjoyed playing tennis and bridge for years at Mission Hills Country Club.
Barbara passed away at Neuvant House in Lawrence, Kansas. Private funeral and graveside services will be held for the family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her brother, author Evan S. Connell. Survivors include her children, Donna (Michael) Waller, Janet Zimmermann, Matthew (Cate) Zimmermann, six grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother.
Matt and Cate, we send our love and condolences.
To all the Zimmerman families, I send you my sincere condolences on seeing the passing of your mom. What an icon and a matriarch. She shared my Birthday and I always think of her on the 14th of May. Your mom is the last of all the childhood friends that shared so much love and laughter with each other. The girls of Sunset Hills school. Blessed to have known both your parents as we grew up and to see how important their friendships were. God bless to all.
Very sorry to hear about Bobbie’s passing. She was a lovely woman and proud of her family. When I was at the KC Star she used to call every now and then with news of her brother. I was lucky to have the chance to read his many letters to her. At the beginning of each and every one of them, Evan called her “Bobs.” They might have had their differences–in politics and religion, especially–but clearly and despite that they loved each other.
We are know that our Lord Jesus was the first to weep , we as well will Bobbie, she and Matt have been the best of friends.
Best wishes and blessings to the family.
Sherry and Glenn Darrow