Helen Jayne (Peters) Simmons |
| Posted 2017-05-01 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, April 26, 2017, page 7a Helen Peters Simmons, 95, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 17, 2017. A Celebration of her life will be held at Granite Gate, 3850 N. Highway 89, on Thursday, April 27, at 10 a.m. Donations may be made to the Yavapai Humane Society or the Sierra Club. Born in the aftermath of the Great War (WWI), Helen Peters Simmons was born in Garber, Oklahoma, and grew up in the Cherokee Strip of Oklahoma; endured parts of the Dust Bowl; and learned frugality in the Great Depression. When World War II came along, Helen supported the country and the servicemen, eventually marrying Horace Simmons Jr., one of those same servicemen who were stationed a short drive from her home. Raising three children in the booming ‘50s, she entered the ‘60s a single parent. But Helen was never one to complain about her life; she simply did what she had to, including a 29 year career with the Federal Aviation Agency. Taking advantage of promotions at work, Helen moved around the country after her children left home. She called Lubbock, Seattle, Mesa and Prescott (among others) home. It was during her time in Seattle that Helen took up Volksmarching (an international walking club). She loved the hiking, the camaraderie, and the travel to new places. She is one of a select few who have hiked a 10K (6.2 miles) in all 50 states. She was more than two-thirds of her way through her next goal, that of walking a 10K in all 50 state capitals, when she had to slow down. She also completed walks in six Canadian provinces, and in the British Isles, Scandinavia and Europe. Her last walking tour was in Russia at the age of 86. Helen was an avid genealogist and through her researches became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Throughout her life, Helen enjoyed books, poetry, music, and musical films and generously shared them with others. Her last residence was at Granite Gate Senior Living Community in Prescott, where her bright smile and cheerful approach to life quickly gained her many friends. She will be missed by all her friends and her family. She is survived by her daughter, Ruth Anne, and her son, John; grandchildren Tina, Selina, Anthony, Christine, Christopher, Jennifer, and Jeremy; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Sadly, her eldest son, Horace, passed away in 2009. Ruffner-Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Go to www.ruffnerwakelin.com to sign the guestbook. Information provided by survivors. |
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