ZIMMERMAN, LISE

Lise (Acheson) Zimmerman 1939 Р2026 Lise Zimmerman (n̩e Laberge) of Cote Saint-Luc, Qu̩bec died on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the age of 86.
Lise spent her entire life seeking and creating beauty. She was born on November 23, 1939, to Marie-Thérese (née Auger) and Charles-Auguste Laberge, in Montreal, Quebec, where she grew up. Her very successful school career was cut short by the illness of her mother, who had recently given birth to Lise’s sister, Marie. Lise became a full-time caregiver at home, and then went to work full-time to assist with the family’s finances.
While still a teenager, with her natural grace, beautiful face, and trim body, Lise became a fashion model. She later moved into fashion design (ladies’ wear). She fell in love with Harvey Zimmerman, married, and gave birth to son Perry and daughter JoJo. Pregnant with son Gregg, she was accepted by Mr. Joseph Schaffer, president of Algo Industries, to be his assistant. Lise accompanied Mr. Schaffer on his frequent trips to New York City, to discover what fashions could be adapted to the Canadian market. Over the years, Algo became Canada’s biggest dressmaker, and Lise master-minded the assembly of four collections of clothing a year. She kept abreast of fashion trends with frequent trips to Paris and London, and occasional trips to other European cities. She helped two generations of Canadian women look their best. While doing all this, she learned to paint, with the help of the famous Montreal artist, Rita Briansky.
In 1988, five years after Harvey’s sudden death, Lise met Palmer, and they married in 1996. They shared a love of fine arts, music, plays, and the outdoors, and they began their international travels to visit art museums, parks, and gardens; attend concerts, operas, the theatre and the ballet; and explore some of the most beautiful and culturally rich places in the world. Together, they visited over 120 independent and dependent countries all over the globe, on all seven continents, increasingly by cruise ship.
In 2003, Lise and Palmer moved to Lethbridge, Alberta, purchasing what had been a miner’s cottage in Hardieville, before it was moved to the London Road area in 1937. With the expert assistance of Ron Moberg, of Reliable Renovations, Lise transformed this plain little house into a colourful, miniature art gallery, filled with paintings, sculptures, and books. In her private domain of the kitchen, she prepared memorable, delicious meals for herself and Palmer and their friends. She became involved with the Southern Alberta Art Gallery, the Lethbridge Symphony, and volunteered regularly with the residents at Covenant Health’s St. Michael’s Seniors’ Residence. She and Palmer returned to the island of Montreal in 2022, in order to be closer to her family.
Lise was pre-deceased by her parents, first husband, sister-in-law Rhoda Goldring, and brothers Serge (Nicole) and Michel (Micheline). She is survived by her beloved husband, Palmer Acheson; her children, Perry (Joy), Gregg (Bella Jaramillo), and JoJo Zimmerman; her brother Pierre; her sisters, Marie (Michel) Perrault, and France; her grandsons Bryan and Adam Zimmerman; Acheson and Dodge stepchildren and grand stepchildren; and cousins, nephews, and nieces in Quebec and Ontario. Special thanks to her caregivers Faith, Rowena and Ese, and to the attentive staff of the 7th Floor at Maimonides Geriatric Centre for their care, kindness and devotion.
Lise’s funeral took place at Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean-Talon West, Montreal, QC, on Friday, June 26 at noon, followed by her burial in Duvernay, Laval.