Priscilla Joan Simmons

Priscilla Joan (Deering) Simmons, of Falmouth, Maine, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, died peacefully, May 16, 2023, after an illness. Born March 5, 1934, in Portland to the late Robert Harold and Emma Louise (Dolley) Deering, Priscilla was a lifelong Maine resident.

Priscilla attended Deering High School graduating in the class of 1952. She matriculated at Westbrook College before opting for a business career. An independent woman in her young years, Priscilla donned a fashionable wardrobe while pursuing careers at The Veterans’ Administration and then Standard Oil while preparing for adventures abroad. Before long, she was ready to head off to Europe on a solo excursion. While traversing Germany, she met the dashing young soldier, James Glen Simmons of Bogalusa, Louisiana, and instantly fell in love. The date was June 23, 1959. The lovebirds married September 10 of that same year and chose to make Maine their home. They since shared 63 treasured years of romance, adventure, and companionship.

Once married, Priscilla swapped her business hat for the really challenging work of motherhood. She was a much-loved, wonderful mother, never missing any of Robert’s basketball or racquetball games, Derek’s swim meets or football games, or Janice’s flute recitals or high school debates.

Enjoying the warm Maine summers, the family spent numerous weekends boating and picnicking at the Sebago Lake sandbar, indulging in Priscilla’s famous homemade ice cream. The crew also spent many spontaneous weekends in New York, Vermont and New Hampshire and yearly excursions to Louisiana to connect with the southern side of the family. Priscilla and James’s other cherished ventures included travels to San Diego, Bermuda, Alaska, Florida, St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands, Las Vegas, Nashville, and the Grand Canyon, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks with friends and family.

Compassionate and generous, Priscilla served as Deaconess at the Woodfords Congregational Church in Portland, and was a faithful member of both the Order of the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs of Maine. Her service extended to cooking for and visiting with the infirm, injured, or shut-in members of the local community wherever she recognized need. Her smile was always cheery and her gestures truly heartfelt. Priscilla was a welcome visitor at anyone’s door.

As her children became independent, Priscilla returned to school gaining her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Husson College in May of 1994. Her pride in obtaining that degree was matched by the admiration from her husband and children. After graduation, Priscilla worked at the IRS and then Maine Neurology. She soon found her true professional fit at Scotia Prince Ferries where she worked as Assistant to the President for many years before retiring.

Priscilla was just as attentive to her three grandsons Alexander, Graeme and Ethan, as she was to her children, attending as many track meets, math competitions, baseball games, music recitals and theater productions as possible. Proud of their every endeavor she strived to share in their accomplishments as frequently as possible. She ventured on multiple Disney vacations with her boys reveling in hugs with Winnie the Pooh and Donald Duck. Recent happy moments for her included visits with her great grandson, Donald, with whom she loved to share cuddles and ball throws.

A social master, Priscilla hosted wonderful parties and filled the home with love. An incredible cook, she was known to serve her children’s best-loved foods whenever they visited. Her red velvet cake, delectable pies and sugary jams were fan favorites. Friends and family alike were welcomed with open arms any day of the week, anytime of the year. Drop-in visits from her sons’ friends continued long after the boys had passed, attesting to the warmth she extended all.

Priscilla is survived by her devoted husband James; daughter Janice Simmons White, son-in-law David White and their sons Graeme and Ethan of Groton, Massachusetts; and grandson Alexander Simmons and his son, Priscilla’s great-grandson, Donald Simmons, both of Ellsworth, Maine. She is preceded in death by her parents Robert and Emma Deering and her sons Robert and Derek Simmons.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, Maine office, 51 U.S. Rt. 1 Suite M, Scarborough, Me. 04074.

Relatives and friends may call at the Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland, Tuesday, 10 AM to noon where a funeral will be held at noon. The Rev Philip Shearman will officiate. Burial will follow in Forest City Cemetery, So. Portland. Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to leave a tribute in Priscilla’s memory.

“Beauty exists not is what is seen and remembered, but in what is felt and never forgotten” – Jonathan Jena