Madeline Jacqueline Zimmer

Madeline Zimmer passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on December 20th, 2025, just six days shy of her 95thbirthday. Madeline was born on December 26th, 1930, in Sunnyvale, California to Portuguese immigrants from the Azore Islands, Mary De Bem and Christopher Perry.  She spent her early years in the Bay Area, living on her parents’ cherry orchard,helping her parents with their farm, and studying music, namely the piano, as well as the cello and trombone.  This was not surprising, given the legacy bestowed upon her from generations of musicians and luthiers in her family lineage.

​She attended San Jose State University and University of Hawaii, earning her degrees in education and forging a teaching career in elementary school and as a resource (special needs) specialist.  When she wasn’t teaching, Madeline also enjoyed participating in California cross-country races in her Sports Car Racing Club.

​It was her ever adventurous spirit that inspired her to enlist in the United States Department of Defense as a schoolteacherabroad.  She traveled to Bordeaux, France where she taught children on the military base.  It was there that she met her husband of 55 years, Stephen, who was assigned to drive the teachers to the military base each morning.  In 1958, they were married in Wendelstein, Germany at Saint Nikolaus Catholic Church.  In 1959, they welcomed their first child, Juliana, whileresiding in Bussac-Foret, France.

​After returning to the United States, Madeline and Stephen welcomed five more children:  Rebecca, Anika, Steve, Jessica and Mark. Madeline, an accomplished pianist, taught all her children the piano, giving them the foundation to branch off to learn other musical instruments of their choice. Providing their early musical instruction resulted in all six of her children going on to become professional musicians.

​Madeline taught in the Exeter Union School District for over 25 years.  She was active in local church affairs which includedteaching confirmation classes and serving as music director at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. After retirement, Madelinecontinued her love of gardening and travel with her husband,Stephen, before he passed away in 2014. She then stepped in tooversee the management of the family ranch.

​Madeline is survived by her six children, ten grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

​Visitation and Rosary will be at Smith Family Chapel in Exeter on Friday, January 2nd, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.  The Funeral Mass will be at Sacred Heart Church in Exeter on Saturday, January 3rd at 9:00 a.m. followed by internment at Visalia Public Cemetery at 10:30 a.m., and a Reception at Exeter Woman’s Club from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.

​Memorial Donations in memory of Madeline Zimmer can be made to Saint Clair’s Altar Society, P.O. Box 1001, Three Rivers, CA 93271

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