Canzoneri (Zimmerman) Helen Mary
Canzoneri, Helen Mary (Zimmerman), 97, died on November 18, 2010 at Larksfield Place. Born in 1913 to Joseph and Myrtle Zimmerman, she was raised in Sterling and graduated from high school there. She earned her B.A. Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University and an M.A. in Japanese history from Harvard University. She met her husband, Vincent, while working on her doctorate in Japan. The couple returned to marry in Sterling in 1936, then lived in Tokyo until September of 1941. During World War II, she taught Japanese at the Navy Language School and worked as a censor of Japanese mail in Honolulu, where Vincent served in Navy Intelligence. She raised three sons in Newton, where she was president of the Library board and, at the request of local parents, taught a pre-college enrichment course for high school students. She moved to Wichita in 1971, where her husband was an executive at Ross Industries. In Wichita, she taught weaving, helped to run the Blue Warp weaving shop, and served on the acquisitions committee of the Wichita Art Museum. She is survived by her sons and their wives, Matthew and Sarah of Washington, DC; Vincent and Tova of Newton, Massachusetts; and Wren and Amy of Toronto, Canada; and her five grandchildren, Emily of Washington, DC; Matthew and his wife Corinne of Boulder, Colorado; Julian of Boston, Massachusetts; and Vincent and Alexander of Toronto, Canada. A memorial service, with music performed by members of her family, will be held at Larksfield Place, 7373 East 29th Street North in Wichita, at 2:00 pm, Sunday, January 30, after a musical prelude that will commence at 1:45. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd., Wichita, 67203.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
We wanted to thank you for putting your mother’s obituary in our Newton paper. We knew she was an amazing woman from hearing stories from our neighbors, but the education and her drive to learn is truly and inspiration to us all. What a wonderful way to celebrate and honor her memory. She would be so proud. We continue to live in your beautiful house on Hart Drive. We have been here for the past 15 years now and love it even more than we did when we moved in. Our children are now 15 and 18 and will hopefully have many fond memories of the neighborhood and home and as you have had. We haven’t done much to it, mainly because it was so well built to begin with, our friends continue to be amazed at what a great house your parents built. You would probably recognize the 1950’s kitchen. Our basement is currently being remodeled but we made sure to leave the blue prints on the stair walls. Thank you for sharing your house and parents memories with us all of these years. It’s been fun to visit with you in your past visits, and while you’re in the area you are certainly welcome to stop by. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Sincerely, Brad, Becky, Conner and Hayley Cooper
I met Helen Canzoneri in the decade of the 1970s through my employment at the Wichita Art Museum as educator and chief curator. Helen was one of the leading lights of the Museum. She gave distinguished service as a Patron, Docent, and Board Member, including management of the Bernita Adair Acquisitions Trust for the Board and service on the Acquisitions Committee. Helen’s aesthetic taste, especially in fiber art, was impeccable. She taught all she came in contact with to better understand and delight in art. Helen inspired and supported some of the best exhibitions of fine craft held at the Wichita Art Museum. On a personal level Helen exemplified for me the model of the 20th Century American ideal of the ‘modern woman.’ She was smart, daring, unafraid of truth or hard work, and eager to be in the thick of things. She wore her rich intelectual gifts with modesty and devoted her resources of spirit and purse to the betterment of the community. Unfortunately urgent family concerns will prevent me from attending Helen’ funeral but I wanted her dear family and friends to know that I join them in mourning her passing. Helen was a force to be reckoned with. Sinerely, Novelene Ross
As a former classmate of Vince and also worked at the Newton Public Library while Mrs. Canzoneri was on the Board, I wanted to add my respectful condolences but also celebrate her wonderful life and what she gave to others. It was my privilege to know her. Vince, I hope you are doing well.
I have so many fond memories of growing up with the three of you, and of you mum and dad. She was an extraordinary woman. Please accept my condolences for your loss.
We have just come from the moving memorial for your mother. We were able to speak with Wren after but would like to also send our thoughts out to Matthew and Vince and to Amy– Helen was my first and primary weaving teacher, and we became spinning and weaving friends, as well as my husband and I shared numerous occasions with Helen: meals, books, stories, single malt! Your musical offerings at the service put me beyond words, it was so moving and so excellent. The music brought me to my knees and to tears more than once, but ‘Over the Rainbow’ was so perfect a send-off I thought I was going to lose composure completely and sob. Vince’s tribute/eulogy brought Helen to life–it was so her. But what will stay with me for a very long time is his story of her last days and how you all ‘sung her to Heaven.’ What beautiful comfort you all provided. I hope that will comfort you, too, in the days to come. We came home and lifted a wee dram of Talisker single malt to Helen. With best wishes and condolences, Martha Crowley, Frank Pate
Helen was truly an amazing woman to know and to have as a friend. I worked with her over many years and always felt fortunate. She was very knowledgeable about a wide range of areas. She will be missed by many including me.
Dear Matt, Vince, Wren, and families, Your mother was a brilliant woman of great accomplishment. It was an honor to know her and your extraordinary family. Speaking from experience, losing one’s mother, regardless of age, is a more difficult mental transition than we think it will be. Excellent memories, however, are the foundations of immortality. My sympathies to your family.
Matt, Vince and Wren, my sincere sympathy on the loss of your dear mother. I have warmest memories of her appreciation and encouragement of musical pursuits of all kinds, and her generosity to me personally. What fun I had with the piano trio with you, Matt and Vince; the master class at Wichita U. with Janos Starker; and many performances which helped us all grow as musicians. May you always treasure, and find comfort in, your memories of her! You and your families are her most important legacy.
Your mother was an amazing woman who enriched her world in a multitude of ways, not the least of which is the legacy of her multi-talented family! While you grieve the loss of her physical presence, may you also celebrate her life well-lived, and continue to feel her love. My thoughts/prayers are with you!