Phyllis Margaret Zimmerman was born May 9, 1958 in Colorado Springs, and died in Denver on September 24, 2026, which was 14 Tishrei 5787. She was the fifth child of Dr. Robert “Bob” Leonard Zimmerman and Mrs. Phyllis Maude Wright Zimmerman. She was a bright and energetic child with sparkling blue eyes and a head of blond ringlets, nicknamed “Pixie” or “Pix” for her sprightliness, though often known as “Little Phyllis” and occasionally “Maggie” and “Felicia” or by her Hebrew name "Leah". She excelled at everything she did. She graduated from Palmer High School, Colorado College and Beth-El College of Nursing, and attended classes at UCCS. She studied Psychology, Spanish and Nursing. She did her study abroad in Mexico with the goal of being able to speak Spanish like a native. She practiced as a night nurse in Peds and PICU at Memorial Hospital and Pediatrics and Pediatric Oncology at Penrose Community Hospital for close to two decades before taking time off to fulfill her dream of being a stay at home mom for her youngest son, which she was unable to do with her older children. She later worked as a pediatric home care nurse. She was home to help raise two of her granddaughters. She loved her children and grandchildren, the mountains, writing, gardening and being active. She particularly loved to run and to dance. She was a long distance runner on the master’s elite circuit, being sponsored by Brooks Shoe Company in the late 90’s, and being offered a contract by Nike before retiring from racing to be there for her youngest son. She was always on the move and continued walking when she could no longer run. She excelled at chesed, always making room for one (or ten) more and giving everything of herself to others. She had a strong faith that she shared with her children. She was a survivor and clung to life through various life threatening events to be there for her loved ones. She wanted her passing to be in joy, and her death and burial were perfectly timed and orchestrated to be on Erev Sukkot. Simchat Torah was her favorite holiday, and this year she will be dancing in Shamayim.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, and two children who died before birth. She is survived by her sisters Susan D’Andrea of Texas, Lynn Estomin of Pennsylvania, Jeanne Walz of Alaska, Mary Richeaux of Colorado, and her brother Robert Zimmerman, also of Colorado. Her surviving children include Crystalyne “Shoshana Michal” Schwartz, Justin Rosenthal, and Philip Winslow, as well as step children Tanya Rodriguez, and George Rodriguez, all in Colorado. Her grandchildren include Luna Zimmerman, Lilliana “Lilli” Zimmerman, Raphael “Natan” Schwartz, Moshe Schwartz, Liora Schwartz, Yitzchak Schwartz, Dovid Schwartz, Chava Schwartz, Lauren “Lo” Gomez, Bailie Jongema, and Leroy Valentin. She also leaves behind friends,family and many others whose lives she has touched. She was interred at Mt Nebo Cemetery in Aurora, CO. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Rocky Mountain Chevra Kadisha.