Marilyn B. Simmons

Marilyn was born Sept. 23, 1924 in Johnstown PA. She grew up in Lewistown PA where she was introduced to tennis which she played well into her 60s. Her daughter, Elaine, and granddaughter, Nicole, went on to share that love of tennis.

After graduating from high school, she took three years to work in a war plant before entering Antioch College in Yellow Springs, OH. She graduated in 1949 with a BA in mathematics and statistics. Her daughter Gaile inherited that love of math and applied it throughout her computer programming career.

Marilyn worked as a statistician at the Ohio Dept of Welfare for several years before meeting her future husband, George Allen Simmons who was earning his doctorate in chemistry at Ohio State University. They married on June 9, 1951. George’s work had them living in many cities, including Indiana IL, Birmingham AL, Springdale PA, Lafayette PA, Toledo OH, Mississauga, Ontario Canada, Elmira NY, and Kennesaw GA.

In 1998 Marilyn and George moved to Woodstock VA where they lived near her sister, Ruth DeCristofano. Their relationship was precious to Marilyn who enjoyed sharing time with Ruth who loved to talk and share a laugh. Shortly after moving to Virginia, their son Roger joined them and lived with them until he passed away in 2019. In 2020 Marilyn and George moved to Brookdale Senior Living in North Tonawanda where George lives today.

Marilyn is predeceased by her parents, Pearl Heckert Boyer and Robert Boyer, daughter Gaile, son Roger, sister Ruth Boyer DeCristofano and brother-in-law Ed DeCristofano. She is survived by her husband George, daughter Elaine (Philip) La Chappelle of Burlington, Ontario, her grandchildren, Lianna, Roy, and Nicole La Chappelle, nephew Mark DeCristofano, niece Lynn (Andy) McKee, great niece Jenna McKee (Ethan) Bradley, great nephew Caleb McKee, niece Alisa Brewer (John) Finney in Colorado and nephew Mike (Vickie) Brewer in Alabama.

The family will be holding a private Celebration of Life. Donations may be made to Response women’s shelter in Woodstock, VA.