Helen Zimmerman McDermott, 95, widow of Charles A. "Chuck" McDermott, passed away at home from natural causes on August 18, 2017, with her beloved son and grandchildren by her side.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on New Year's Eve to Albert E. and Eva W. Zimmerman, Helen always loved a party. She was one of five children and is survived by her sister, Lois Z. Kinloch (Bob); her daughter, Patricia M. Robinson (Bob); her son, Michael C. McDermott (Mary Ann); and her adored grandchildren, Travis B. Fields, Michael R. Fields (Shannon), Laura R. Whitley (Kit), Jill R. Scheper (Bill), Eric M. McDermott, Max C. McDermott, Audrey Helen McDermott, Connor P. McDermott, and Sean M. McDermott. Helen was thrilled to be great-grandmother to Elyse and Jacob Fields, to MaryClaire and Benjamin Whitley, and to Will, Rebecca, Kaitlin, and Rachael Scheper. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Strayer College, she worked at the Philadelphia Naval Base during WWII. Her husband's company relocated their family to North Augusta, SC, in the 1960's, where she worked at the VA. In the 70's, a move took them to Fayetteville, NC, where she served as a verbatim reporter for the Office of the Inspector General at Fort Bragg until her retirement in 1982. Then she and Chuck moved to Columbia to enjoy being close to her daughter's family and joined Bethel United Methodist Church. Many years later she moved to Dallas, TX, to live with her son's family, also accompanying them when they moved to Puerto Rico. She returned to Columbia at the age of 90 to live at The Waterford where she enjoyed friends, parties and bingo.

Helen loved playing bridge, which she also taught, and having themed bridge parties cooking and contributing to many cookbooks, traveling far and wide, reading, visiting with her family and friends as well as teaching Sunday School. She was a toast mistress and the ABWA Woman of the Year in NC. However, the light of her life was her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Helen will be held at 2 o'clock on Saturday August 26th at Bethel United Methodist Church, 4600 Daniel Drive, Columbia. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a favorite charity. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

Helen's family gratefully acknowledges the steadfast, loving care and unceasing kindness of Mamie McGill and Michelle Ricupero.