Obituary of Mary Iona Simmons

Mary Iona Simmons, 85, passed away peacefully, on February 9, 2017. She was surrounded by family, while receiving Hospice Care from her grand-daughter, Nicole Stephenson (Nan and Pap’s “Nurse Good-body”), and the wonderful staff at Down East Community Hospital. Mary was born in Jonesport on October 30, 1931 to the late Winfred and Sarah (Tracy) Wright, and resided in Addison with her loving husband of 39 years, Leo Simmons. Community was always an important part of her life, and she contributed by volunteering on many occasions, including counting votes on election days, baking brown breads for the Addison Auxiliary meetings, and serving as a volunteer driver for WHCA for many years. She and Leo were founding members of the Fish and Game Club with honorary lifetime membership. Mary enjoyed cooking and sharing her baked breads, jams, and pies with neighbors and friends. She and Leo spent many hours traveling with family members, and as a great story-teller, she had many, many hilarious stories about their adventures. Words cannot express how much Mary will be missed by her family. Mary was pre-deceased by her parents, Winfred and Sarah Wright, her first husband, Roger Norton, several siblings, her oldest daughter, Nancy Eastman, and her first great-grandson Tyler Stephenson. She is survived by her husband, Leo Simmons of Addison, her daughters Noreen Baba and her husband, Mitsukuni of Mundelein, IL, and Norma Rolfe and her husband, Allen of Addison. Mary had ten grandchildren, Nicole Stephenson, Richard Norton, Normand Bosse, Akie Baba-Coleman, Leo Chandler III, Yayoi Baba-Fugane, Rebecca Willey, Hikari Baba-Baarson, Allen Rolfe III, and Seth Rolfe. She also had six great grand-children, all of whom held a special place in her heart. She was very much looking forward to holding and loving two more great-grandchildren expected to arrive very soon. Services will be held in the spring to allow family members from away to be able to travel from afar.