It is with great sadness we announce our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother, Patricia Joyce Simmons, passed away peacefully into the arms of her beloved Jesus and his divine Mother, Mary, on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at the age of 92.
Patricia was born on Dec. 31, 1924 at home on 23 Vernon Road in Uckfield, Sussex, England to Marjory and Ernest George Anderson.
In her early years, being the youngest child in the family, she was proud to be a Girl Guide from Brownies all the way to Rangers. During her teenage years, she worked as a waitress to support her family due to her father’s illness, who had cancer. That is where she met her future husband, Harper Ernest ‘Ernie” Simmons, during WWII.
They were united in Holy Matrimony on April 19, 1945 in the Parish Church at Uckfield Township, Sussex, England.
After WWII, in April, 1946 as a war bride, Patricia crossed the ocean at seven months’ pregnant and travelled to Fort Frances, Ont. to start a new life there with her husband. Raising their son, David, and her chosen children, Lawrence and Cathy, that God blessed her to be called mom after Teena Marie died.
She also was a foster mother for 20 years and she always had five or six little ones living with her own family. Patricia’s hands held more than 100 babies with those 20 years of being a foster mom.
Once retired from fostering, Patricia baby-sat privately. After that, Patricia worked at Rainycrest for 11 years from March, 1977 until her retirement on June 16, 1989. She loved working there, always helping the dear older people who she loved. She also loved the staff, who she kept in touch by bringing homemade baking for them for many years after her retirement.
Patricia also enjoyed her flowers, knitting, crocheting, reading, camping, feeding God’s creatures wither wild or tame, and most of all praying.
Patricia always will be remembered by being a very loving and compassionate person, who gave so much of herself to others. Her door always was open for friends and family and, of course, tea always was being served.
Gratefully and feeling very blessed, Patricia always had a family who loved and helped her.
She will be greatly missed by her children, David (Sheila) Simmons, Lawrence (Bonnie) Simmons, and Cathy Simmons; grandchildren, Christopher Simmons, Teresa (Brian) Gustafson, Connie (Gregg) Bruyere, Jenna (Geoff) Gerley, Luke Simmons (Alyssa), and Dustin Westly; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Brandon, and Sean Gustafson, Robin Simmons, Joseph and Kayden Bruyere, and Joshua, Gabriel, and Hannah Gerley; and great-great-grandchildren, Dylan and Lyric Simmons.
She also is survived by her sister-in-law, Gracy Young; and many nieces and nephews.
Patricia was predeceased by her parents, Marjory and Ernest George Anderson; husband, Harper Ernest “Ernie” Simmons (1982); daughter, Teena-Marie Simmons (1949); brothers, Alex and Ken Anderson; mother-in-law, Amy Dueck; two fathers-in-law, Harper William Simmons and Dave Dueck; sisters-in-law, Mary Anderson, Ingrid Simmons, Emily Munro, Margaret Wallzack, and Joyce Macahanik; and brothers-in-law, Fred Simmons, Evald Gustafson, Jim Munro, Standley Wallzack, John Macahanik, and Jack Young.
A service of celebration and remembrance was held Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at 1 p.m. at the Northridge Funeral Home in Emo, Ont., with Pastor Diane Clifford officiating.
Interment will take place in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances at a later date.
The pallbearers were Dustin Wesley, Luke Simmons, Josh Gerley, Jacob Gustafson, Brandon Gustafson, and Robin Simmons.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to Operation Smile Canada or the charity of your choice c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com
PATRICIA JOYCE SIMMONS
