Helen U. Zimmerman, 99, of Oneonta died peacefully on October 20, 2021 at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing.

Helen was born September 10, 1922 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to Dr. Joseph M Uhler, an educator who later became President of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Naomi S. Uhler, née Dohner, who taught in public schools until her marriage.

The family lived on campus at IUP where Helen attended the training school for teachers. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Technology from Temple University in 1943. Until 1950 she worked in hospital laboratories in Wilmington, Delaware, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Iowa City, Iowa.

Helen was the baby of the family, never far from her older brothers, Lowell and Raymond, her big sister Ruth, her cousin Verne and, of course, her dogs Spotty and Mike. She learned to drive the family car and rarely missed a dance or a visiting Big Band. She married George E. Zimmerman of Indiana on June 12, 1948. The family has lived in Oneonta since 1954 when George was appointed to the Art Faculty at SUNY Oneonta.

For the next 67 years Helen touched the lives of many. At SUNY Oneonta. she served as matron to the White Rose Ball and as advisor to the Agonian and Arethusa sororities. She volunteered at Head Start and Meals-on-Wheels. She worked as a laboratory technician and outreach worker for Planned Parenthood, as well as assistant to Oneonta dentist Dr. Crawford Douglass.

As a concerned citizen, wife, mother and friend, Helen always maintained a sincere regard for our community, observed a careful consideration of feeling when speaking, and did all she could to express her loving concern. The family sponsored a fresh-air child from New York City and attended the First Presbyterian Church of Oneonta. Helen believed in the right of all people to an equal share in society. She was a charter member of Oneonta P.E.O. whose mission is to provide educational opportunities to women.

She is survived by her sons, Joseph (Reyes) and David (Alycia); grandsons, Raphael and Philip (Melissa); great-grandchildren, Amelie, age 3, and Miles, age 1, and by her beloved sister-in-law, Iona Pierce Uhler of Ithaca, NY.

Arrangements are by the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta. In accordance with Helen's wish there will be no ceremony, but friends are encouraged to visit the online guestbook at www.lhpfuneralhome.com .

If you wish to commemorate Helen's gentle spirit, please consider a gift in lieu of flowers to "P.E.O. Chapter BH" c/o Bonnie Lado, P.O. box 789, Oneonta, or The Martin-Mullen Fina Art Gallery, c/o the College at Oneonta Foundation.