Marion Tanner Simms

Marion Tanner Simms, 94, born November 7, 1916 in Abington, Pennsylvania, passed away in Jacksonville Beach, Florida on August 15, 2011. Her mother was Ruth Shellenberger Hudson, a court stenographer, and her father was Howard Hudson, owner of a shipping company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Marion Tanner-Simms graduated from Abington High School in 1932 and attended two years at Temple University Business College in Philadelphia. She worked as an administrative assistant at Philco Electronics and as a daycare teacher at Jenkintown Nursery School. In 1934 she married Albert W. Tanner (deceased 1984) and she moved to Jacksonville Beach in 1983. In 1984 she assisted her son, Dr. John C. Tanner, in starting his medical practice, Beaches Family Medicine. In 1989 she remarried with Eldon Simms (deceased). She has worked as a medical assistant and in medical records, driving herself to work for the past 27 years up until 3 weeks before her death.

Marion Tanner-Simms was a loving and devoted wife and parent, a loyal friend and she was sustained by her strong Christian faith. She is a talented artist and has painted almost all of the paintings at the Beaches Family Medicine office. She was energetic with a good sense of humor. She enjoyed exercising at Bailey’s Gym, loved playing scrabble, attending Bible studies and worship services at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Belfort Road.

Marion has one brother: Howard Newton Hudson; three children: Marguerite Hanley (deceased); James N. Tanner and John C. Tanner; a daughter-in-law; Millie Tanner; nine grandchildren: Cheryl Burns, Joseph Carroll (deceased), Jenifer Lavala, Sara Bloncourt, Megan Tanner, Rachael Tanner, Andrew Tanner, Brian Tanner and Colleen Tanner; seven great grandchildren: Nichole Parsons, Alex Young, Andrea Burns, Nicholas Lavala, Jake Lavala, Kaley Bloncourt and Kaden Bloncourt; one great-great granddaughter Alyssa Parsons; three nieces: Carol Fiorella, Gayle Hudson, Debbie Burns and one nephew: Curtis Hudson.

Funeral services will be held at Hardage Giddens Funeral Home, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL. on Saturday, August 20, at 2:00 pm

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the City Rescue Mission in Jacksonville, FL.