Miriam Carla Giannone passed away peacefully on August 5, 2017 in Bridgeport Hospital with her loving family by her side. Formerly a resident of Milford, Miriam lived at Wesley Village in Shelton, CT during her last four years of her life. She was daughter of the late Rev. Carl and Marjorie Zimmerman. Miriam was born in Bellingham, WA in 1931. During her life, she lived in many states. She, her sisters and mother lived in San Pedro and Glendale, CA during WWII while her father served as an Army Chaplain overseas. Miriam started playing the violin as a young child. She graduated from Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis, MN as Co-Salutatorian of her class. She was affectionately called Mim Zim during her college years. Miriam graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN with a B.A. in music then received her Master’s degree from Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. It was there that she met her first husband, the late Robert Oppelt, a violist. Miriam enjoyed a rewarding career teaching violin in numerous schools and privately as well.

She logged trips to Mexico, Spain, Russia, France, Italy, Southeast Asian and many more as a traveler and touring musician. Miriam was a member of the Bridgeport, Norwalk and New Haven symphonies. She was also a member of the Connecticut String Quartet for many years. Miriam was listed in Outstanding Young Women of America in 1965. Her greatest accomplishment was her Family. Miriam was known as “Bopje” to her eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She is survived by her children; Carla Oppelt Bednarsky and her husband Bruce, Rick Oppelt and his wife Joanne and Bob Oppelt and his wife Nicolette. She is also survived by her sister Ruth Zimmerman, five nieces and nephews and one great-niece. She was predeceased by her second husband Peter Giannone, son David Oppelt and a sister Esther Atcherson. Miriam was our matriarch and she will be deeply missed.  

A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 21 Robert Treat Parkway, Milford, CT. Our family would like to thank the staff at Wesley Village for their wonderful care of our mother. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Miriam’s name to the Bridgeport Symphony, 446 University Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604. The family is being compassionately cared for by the Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad St., Milford, CT.