Anna VanArtsdalen, lovingly know to all as simply “Aunt Ann”, of Doylestown passed away peacefully at her home on April 9, 2023. She was 94.
Anna was born in Glenside Pa. to the late Harry and Anna Clark Zimmerman, and was the only girl of her parent’s ten children. After she graduated from Abington High School, Anna started to work for the Bell Telephone Company as an operator, and after five years she became a supervisor. She met her late husband, John, at the Warrington Swim Club in June of 1948 and they married in November of the same year.
While in the military, John was deployed overseas and Anna moved in with friends, the Wilson family, who had 5 girls. This was a big treat for her since she grew up in a house full of boys. When John returned home from Germany, they lived with John’s mother before moving to their first apartment in Melrose Park, Pa. They later purchased their first home in Roslyn Pa, where they lived for 5 years. They then acquired a second Roslyn home, however both Roslyn homes were eventually sold and Anna and John moved into an old colonial house in New Britain Pa., which they purchased from John’s sister Betty. It was during this time decided to buy a beach house in LBI. After ten years they again sold both homes and moved to their newly constructed house on Pine Run Road in Doylestown Pa., where Anna lived for the next forty-nine years.
Anna retired from the phone company in 1979 to become a fulltime housewife. She also began to work as a companion for the elderly at Pine Run Retirement Community. During the next several years Anna and John would spend every spring traveling across the country. Anna loved to travel and her trips included thirteen cruises to such places as Alaska, Hawaii, and the Panama Canal. She also traveled abroad to England and China.
Anna had a servant’s heart and loved to volunteer. She was a Telephone Pioneer for twenty-five years, three of which she served as president. There she did talking books for the blind, delivered dictionaries to elementary schools, and painted maps on school playgrounds where the kids could learn the capitals of all the states. She also helped to make electronic maps.
Anna volunteered as an assistant at Briarleaf Nursing and Convalescent Home in Doylestown, helping seniors get to the curb for 4th of July parades. In addition to her time at Briarleaf, she would go to various nursing homes each month to assist with Bingo. And for ten years Anna would participate in the bun bake at the Senior Center in Doylestown.
Along with her love of travel, Anna also enjoyed long walks, two miles or more every day, gardening and considered herself somewhat of a home spun gourmet cook.
Anna is survived by her brother, Albert C. Zimmerman, and his wife Rose, of Lake Worth Florida. She is also survived by her many nieces and nephews and her fur baby cat, Sassy. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of almost forty-one years, John
VanArtsdalen, and siblings Harry Zimmerman, Frank Zimmerman, Louis Zimmerman, Walter Zimmerman, Paul Zimmerman, George Zimmerman, Edward Zimmerman, and Joseph Zimmerman.
Relatives and friends are invited to her graveside service at 11 a.m., Monday, April 17, 2023 at Doylestown Cemetery, 215 East Court Street Doylestown.
A celebration of Anna’s life will be held, however, the date is currently undetermined. Check back later this month.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Anna’s name may be made to the Bucks County S.P.C.A., P. O. Box 277, Lahaska, PA 18931.