I have to share a wonderful short story about Marilyn that I will treasure. I met Marilyn 20 years ago when she was my daughter’s 5th grade teacher- I admired her warm and loving attitude and her big smile that made her eyes crinkle up. 

I was working at a large international architectural firm and I was scheduled for an important public speaking engagement / interview as my firm was trying win a contract for a 50 million dollar project. We prepared for over 15 months with marketing and rehearsals - I was leading an important portion of the presentation. 

To my horror, I learned that the date and time of my firm’s 60-minute interview was the exact date and time of an all school Holiday Concert at Tremont Elementary, and Melissa was chosen to play a violin solo in front of the entire school! I was trying hard to figure out a solution. Should I tell my boss to use another person? 

I talked to Marilyn finally, and she sensed my angst- she said with her business like voice, “Now, you calm down….your company needs you right?  You are a big deal in this interview, right? .So YOU GO GIRL and be glad you have this opportunity, you are being a good role model for your daughter.  Her violin solo won’t be until at least half way through the program. You just hurry over as soon as you can, I will make sure the fire door in the gym is propped open right by the 5th grade section  - don’t go in the front door and climb over all the kindergartners, and I will save you a seat- you should be fine!” 

I participated in the interview, I raced across the city and I parked and then crawled through little bodies in the bleachers until I saw Marilyn’s big smile as she was frantically waving me over to my saved seat. I was just in time!

Marilyn’s passion and big heart for her students was obvious, but I also knew that she was teaching our little girls as well as big girls some important lessons in life. God bless her and may she rest in peace.

When I think of Marilyn, I smile and remember so many wonderful exchanges with her, in her classroom, in the office, and at social gatherings. To me, Marilyn was quite predictable. Not in a bad way, but in an amazingly wonderful way. She was authentic and honest in her expectations of herself and of others. Under her expert guidance, students learned and thrived. They trusted her because they knew she was honest and consistent. If she said she was going to do something, you can bet it would get done. 

Marilyn loved teaching and was a master teacher. I loved visiting her classroom and was quite in awe of her ability to inspire her students to dig deeper and learn at higher levels. She was a master at phrasing questions that provoked deep thinking. And when you least expected, with a twinkle in her eye, she would inject humor into the lesson. Her pacing was also amazing. Her students never had time to daydream or nap because she had such a vibrant style. I only wish that everyone assembled here could have witnessed the Marilyn Simmons, Master Teacher, that I had the privilege of observing. Her classroom was filled with discipline, respect, laughter, and most importantly, deep learning.

I fondly remember Marilyn coming to school early in the morning and walking briskly by the office to check her mail. Yes, she always walked briskly. I believe she even thought briskly. She always had a kind word and a smile for me and then off she would go to her classroom to prepare for the day. 

Marilyn was a tremendous asset to the Tremont and Upper Arlington communities. She touched so many lives positively in so many ways. She will be sorely missed.

Maria Wilkes, Tremont Principal and more importantly, Marilyn's friend!

Marilyn was a colleague, a fellow book club member and a friend.  As a colleague, she was an exceptional teacher. Her passion to teach was matched only by her compassion for her students. She was eminently fair, honest to the point of bluntness,  but would accept no nonsense that would disrupt her classroom routine. Her professionalism inspired her students to be their best. As a fellow book club member, she seemed to light up most during our discussions about the genres of historical fiction & nonfiction.  Of course, we all knew about her expertise in the Civil War area, a real passion of hers. As a friend, she was always supportive of others and always had a smile.  

She often shared stories about her lovely family as she was always so proud of her grandchildren and daughters.  Her  face and words reflected how much she valued her family.

 May Marilyn rest in peace.  I offer my sincere condolences to her family.

Blooming Basket was purchased for the family of Marilyn Jean Simmons .

David & Euniece Unger, Darlene, Larry, Janell & Amanda Hoff purchased the Dish Gardens for the family of Marilyn Jean Simmons .

Meg B. purchased a sympathy card for the family of Marilyn Jean Simmons.

Fireside Basket - Seasonal Garden was purchased for the family of Marilyn Jean Simmons .

Dish Gardens was purchased for the family of Marilyn Jean Simmons .

Nature's Twig Arrangement was purchased for the family of Marilyn Jean Simmons .

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Marilyn Jean Simmons

16 décembre 1933 – 28 novembre 2015

Schoedinger Midtown

Montrez votre soutien

Envoyez Vos
Condoléances

Partager
L'avis De Décès

Obtenir les mises à jour

Prestations de Service