Debra C. Zimmerman

Our Mother, Debra (Chafin) Zimmerman, age 73, passed peacefully with her family surrounding her while listening to her favorite playlist. Music has always been a big part of her life. From Pennsville High School Choir, she auditioned and joined the South Jersey Chorus. She continued her love of choir at Trinity United Methodist Church and loved the holiday cantatas. She also sang with the Salem Oak Singers. Her solo concerts were for us kids just around the house that included hymns, rock ballads, kid’s songs, Broadway show-tunes and current hits. She was talented with making her own mix tapes of music for the car and always had a song to sing! Everyone knew her favorite color was RED with strawberries being her favorite décor of all! One of her favorite shows was Little House on the Prairie that brought up her memories of visiting family when she was a child in West Virginia. She was also a huge Miami Vice fan and loved watching ice skating during Olympics so much she followed the skater’s careers. Similar to her music mix tapes she made her own VCR tapes of the ice-skating routines she enjoyed the most. She never considered herself ‘crafty’ but was a wizard with shiny mailing label tape, pretty ribbon and a box! Her form of recycling something to make it pretty was another thing she enjoyed. Her favorite place to relax was parking at the river in Pennsville to watch the waves or sitting on the beach at Ocean City. You could usually find her on one of her bench swings admiring her beloved red maple tree outside her picture window. She provided in-home daycare for friends and family and created a loving environment to many children over the years. Her favorite role in life however was becoming a Mom, Grandmom and recently was so excited to become a Great-Grandmom! She was the most loving Mom to Larry (Valerie) Zimmerman, Lisa (Lou) Valentino and Amy Zimmerman. She was the most patient and proud Mom-Mom to her seven (her favorite number!) granddaughters; Lauren (Audrey) Villa, Lacy (Chad) Zimmerman, Emily (Riley) Fisher, Carly Valentino, Vanessa (Dillon) Lindsay, Casey Valentino and Chloe Valentino. She had a special adorable bond with her little Zachary when she became a Great-Grandmother and was excited for her new great-granddaughter coming in January. She is survived by her brother, Don Chafin (Michele) and her Sister-In-Law, Mildred Pharo (Ben) along with many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence Zimmerman and her parents, Dewey and Dorothy Chafin, and recently her sister, Terry Chafin. Please join us to honor our Mom, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 75 S. Broadway, Pennsville on Thursday, July 31, 2025. Visitation begins at 10:00am and service at 11:00 am with reception to follow at the F.O.P., 693 S. Broadway, Pennsville NJ. Burial will be private. Please wear red for Debra!

Debra C. Zimmerman

August 19, 1951 - July 25, 2025