Mary F. Simmons

Mary Frances (Tierney) Simmons passed away Saturday, January 23, 2021, at the Homestead assisted living facility in Topeka; she was 100 years, one month, and 15 days of age.

Mary Frances Tierney was born December 8, 1920, in Burlington, Kansas to Frederick William and Frances Alberta (Walkling) Tierney.  Her parents operated a photography studio and farm in Morton County, Kansas.  Her father was killed in 1925; in 1931, her mother was remarried to Edward M. Dean of Richfield, Kansas.  In July 1940, Mary was wed to Edwin Lee Simmons of Rockford, Illinois, with whom she bore a daughter, Donna Marie, and a son, Edwin Craig.  Edwin Lee Simmons entered the U.S. Army in 1944, and the family’s travels between then and 1958 included two tours of duty in West Germany.  The family settled down for good in Topeka in 1959.

It was in Topeka that she completed her education, earning two degrees from Washburn University.  Mary Simmons was a life-long educator, both at the grade school and adult levels.  Her specialty was reading education, and she was both highly respected and much beloved by her students.  In addition to private tutoring, which continued up to the last month of her life, she was previously employed by Parkdale Elementary and the Boys Industrial Schools.

Mary was a devoted and active member of St. David’s Episcopal Church from 1959 until her death.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother, stepfather, and husband; also by her daughter and son-in-law, Donna Marie and Captain Eugene M. Jewell (USAF).

In addition to her beloved Maine Coon “Alexander the Great”, Mary is survived by her son and daughter-in-law: Craig & Kathleen Simmons of Lakewood, Colorado, and their two daughters, Ellen & Matthew McCleskey of Anderson, Texas,  and Heather Simmons of Lakewood, Colorado.  A cousin, Susan Whitfield-Harding of Lindsborg, Kansas, also survives.   Also, surviving is her granddaughter, Deborah Jewell of Topeka, and Deborah’s two sons: David K. Gill of North Carolina & his daughter Elizabeth Grace Gill; Jonathon M. Gill & fiancé, Chelsey Rickabaugh of Topeka.  A granddaughter-in-law, Carolyn Bryant of Wichita, her daughter Marie Eklund, also of Wichita, and two great-great-grandchildren, Logan & Emma Eklund also survive.  A grandson, Eric M. Jewell, present whereabouts unknown, presumably survives as well.

Finally, the staff and residents at the Homestead of Topeka assisted living facility are owed a deep debt of gratitude.  Mary Simmons came to regard the facility as home, and the staff and residents as family.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at St. David's Episcopal Church in Topeka.  Donations in her name should be made to Helping Hands or St. David’s Episcopal Church and left in care of the Davidson Funeral Home.  davidsonfuneral.com.