Livermore’s Irma, 97, Sends Hurricane Irma Victims Sweet Messages Of Encouragement

LIVERMORE, CA — A Livermore woman, just shy of 100 years young, used her 97th birthday to send messages of support to those affected by Hurricane Irma in Florida. Irma Zimmer, a resident of The Watermark at Rosewood Gardens in Livermore, is known for her random acts of kindness and making others feel special on their birthdays and anniversaries.

This year, the nonagenarian took to social media as part of her own birthday celebration to help hurricane victims, including residents living in three Florida Watermark communities, know they are not forgotten.

“Mrs. Zimmer has a passion for celebrating birthdays and goes out of her way to make all of her neighbors feel extra special on their special day,” explained Nancy Harrison, executive director of The Watermark at Rosewood Gardens. “At the beginning of every month, she generously purchases each celebrant a birthday card, gets the staff to sign it and gifts it to them on their birthday. She is a beautiful person and a beautiful artist as well.”

• Toddler’s Celebratory Fist Bumps Spread Joy, Happiness

Zimmer, who is described as a kindhearted human who embodies love, warmth and compassion, along with other residents in her retirement community created signs with positive messages to be featured in the photographs. The photos were shared with the residents in Sarasota, St. Petersburg and Trinity Watermark communities as well as others on social media.

“Well wishes to our Watermark communities in Florida.”
“Thinking of our friends at Watermark Communities in Florida”
“Thinking of you! Much love and dry thoughts. The Watermark at Rosewood Gardens.”

C. Jill Hofer, director of communication for Watermark, said all of the Florida Watermark residents remain safe, dry and in good spirits, despite the evacuation of one waterfront community in St. Petersburg.

“From coast to coast, our residents, along with our amazing associates, truly are like one big family,” Hofer said in a statement. “From our selfless and dedicated associates who stayed with residents and kept them safe throughout the storm to neighbors like Irma Zimmer, they really embody our vision of creating extraordinary communities where people thrive.”

Watermark will soon present Zimmer with a year’s supply of birthday cards decorated with one of her own designs and plans to make Zimmer’s cards available for purchase at all of the 50 Watermark communities across the nation. Proceeds from the sale of Zimmer’s greeting cards will benefit a charity of her choice.

More Nice News On Patch:

• Police Converge On Boy’s Birthday Party: WATCH
• Painted Rock Craze Spreads To Pleasanton
• See: Livermore Stranger’s Heartwarming Gesture Brings Tears To Elderly Man’s Eyes
• Blind Dog Missing In Santa Cruz Mountains Rescued By Off-Duty Firefighter On Hike

Also See: Hurricane Irma's By The Numbers

Photos courtesy The Watermark at Rosewood Gardens in Livermore

Photo 1: Irma Zimmer (wearing bright red) and neighbors gather outside of The Watermark at Rosewood Gardens on a beautiful late summer Livermore day, hoisting signs.

Photo 2: From one coast to another, Rosewood Gardens neighbors took time during their extraordinary outing across the Golden Gate Bridge on Sept. 9 to display signs.