Sharon Rae Zimmerman

Sharon Rae Zimmerman (York), Age 83 of Dayton Ohio passed away January 1st of 2025 after a long battle with chronic pulmonary disease under the excellent care of Hospice of Dayton. She was born January 12th 1941 in Dayton Ohio to Duke and Evelyn York. She is survived by her loving husband Jack Zimmerman, daughter Shelli Zimmerman Hromatka and son-in-law Calvin Hromatka, and her grandchildren Bryan Hardy, Jack and Samantha Hardy, and Cadie Hromatka. Sharon is also survived by a large number of friends who became family as well as a supportive brother-in-law, nieces, and nephews along with their spouses.

Sharon had a happy childhood and was especially close to her dad who was her hero. Even in childhood, she was a fiercely loyal defender of those she loved. She graduated from Colonel White high school in 1959 and from Miami Valley Hospital School of X-Ray in 1961 at the top of her class. Sharon started her career as an Xray technician and was quickly promoted to a radiation therapist where she dedicated 40 years of her life to treating cancer patients. This is where she met Jack when he was working as a trained attendant in the labor and delivery room and they quickly bonded over Sharon helping Jack out of a jam with a patient that was due to deliver at any second. After that they started meeting at the snack bar during their breaks and fell head over heels in love, marrying in March of 1964.

Over their 60 plus year marriage they enjoyed spending time with their many friends, family, and many sporting events, especially Indy Car racing. 4 Years into their marriage their daughter Shelli was born. Shelli was fortunate to have the most loving and supportive mother throughout her life. Sharon never missed a ballet recital or drill team performance, being Shelli’s biggest cheerleader. One of the highlights of Sharon’s life was becoming a grandmother to her two grandsons, Jack and Bryan. They were fortunate to have a grandmother who in childhood, dedicated countless hours to making them happy through play and many praises she often showered upon them. Now, as adults, they both agreed that she was loving and generous and improved the lives of everyone around her. Overall, she lived a happy life, got great joy out of animals and children, and everyone who knew her agreed she was one of the kindest people to ever walk the earth. She will be greatly missed by those who knew her, but there is also great joy in knowing that she is now in the paradise of heaven that she deserves.

In Lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to charities important to Sharon: St. Jude and The Humane Society. A celebration of life will be announced for later this year on Facebook and other social media platforms.