Terry Zimmerman

Terry Zimmerman passed away on Monday, October 10, 2022, at the age of 72 in her home in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

On August 13, 1950, Terry was born to Betty Fay and Gerald Oscar Zimmerman. She and her two older sisters were born and raised in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Their home was filled with kittens and laughter. The sisters, Gail (Zimmerman) Yepez and Mervilyn (Zimmerman) Penwell, were all close in age and were very close throughout their lives.

During middle school, Terry met her lifelong friend, Jean (Clark) Johnson, the person who helped her go from the shy girl in the corner to the outgoing one who fell in love with drama class.

The only time Terry lived somewhere other than Klamath Falls, was about a year in Los Angeles to go to school to become a dental hygienist (after just a few months working as one she realized it was not a good fit). While in LA she was able to have many adventures and spend a lot of time with her extended family.

Within a few years of returning to Klamath Falls, she married Terry L. Woodfork, who she knew briefly in elementary school but reconnected with after graduating high school. They were married for almost 30 years and remained close until his death.

They had one child, a daughter named Mariah. While Terry was pregnant with her daughter, she found that the only things she could really keep down were Taco Bell hard shell tacos and frozen beverages, this remained a favorite meal throughout her life.

As her daughter, nieces (Cindy Yepez Block and Jana Yepez), and nephew (James Yepez) grew she was able to embrace her inner child with coloring books (decades before it was cool) and building with Lego. As her youngest niece so sweetly states, “I will always most remember her for; teaching us all to believe in the things we couldn’t see and finding child-like joy in the simplest moments of life. She will always be the one who taught us that imagination is just as important as reality and that making magic is possible if you believe.”

Throughout her adult life, she helped take care of her parents. Being the only daughter living in the area, she was the primary support for her mother caring for her ill father. After her father died, in 1993, she continued to help out her mother, who lived to be 102 and never learned to drive.

Terry worked various jobs over the course of her life, each one impacted her future. Her first jobs at the local theaters and the drive-in solidified a life-long love for movies and entertainment. Working for Renie’s Jewelers made her the family expert for gem and jewelry questions and eventually a beaded jewelry hobby.

Her years at the local YMCA may have had the most impact on others, some of whom she called her “Y kids”. By just being herself, she helped them and others deal with some horrible situations. As her nephew states so well, “from my earliest memory of Aunt Terry; she was always there as a great listener to me, never judging no matter what the conversation was about and always imparting her wisdom on me with her subtle touch. She had this calming love that would wrap around you. The kind that made you feel everything would turn ok.”

She enjoyed her years at OIT, both in the math department and school of nursing. The work, coworkers and students made every day new and exciting. One of the highlights of her time there was being able to see the real-world results of the program she helped succeed.

Klamath County Health Department is where she spent the last of her working life. One of her positions there was vital records registrar, where she especially loved being involved in the birth records.

While there she met some kindred spirits that encouraged her to explore her artistic and mystic side that she had allowed to go dormant. She started taking art and beading classes as well as collecting fairy-related items.

Some of the best times of Terry’s life were the birthday trips with her daughter. Their birthdays were very close, as was their relationship. They had some great adventures, from very sketchy but clean motels near shopping and random movie theaters to beautiful hotels with gorgeous ocean views, amazing clam chowder, and giant prawns where sting rays leap out of the water.

"For most of her life, she had special times with her family and friends at one of her favorite places, Lake of the Woods. On May 20, 2023, we will be gathering at the Rainbow Bay Day Use Group Area for a picnic to share good food and memories of Terry."