It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Harriet Tisch Zimmerman. She passed away peacefully on July 19 after a brief illness in Bethesda, Maryland. Born on Oct. 16, 1931, in New York City to Susie and Sol Tisch, Harriet graduated from Walton High School in the Bronx and went on to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from City College in New York City.
She began her career as a high school teacher at Roosevelt High School in the Bronx and later at Danbury High School in Connecticut. After pivoting to corporate America, Harriet spent 20 years working in Danbury, Connecticut, and Bethesda, Maryland, before retiring in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where she served as a substitute teacher for several years. In her later life, she traveled the world, relishing every adventure.
Harriet’s greatest achievements were her two children, Gary and Iris. Family was paramount to her, and she cherished her children, their spouses and her grandchildren. She is survived by her children, Gary (Tilde) Zimmerman and Iris (Chris) Garza; her cherished grandchildren, David (Kaila) Zimmerman, Matthew (Lauren) Zimmerman, Lily Garza and Adam Zimmerman; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins and family friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leo Zimmerman; a son; her parents, Susie and Sol Tisch; and her sister, Muriel Balik.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Harriet’s memory to one of the following: the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, the American Blood Clot Association, or The American Lung Association/Pulmonary Embolism. Harriet will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her love for family, humor, wisdom, and unwavering support will forever be remembered and cherished.
