Jo SIMMONS

Jo (Grandma Jo) Simmons passed away November 1, 2009 after 87 wonderful years of life devoted to family, friends and her Church. Predeceased by husband Don in 1974, daughter Jo-Anne in 2003 and son Jim in 2008, she is survived by sons David (Joan) and Mark and daughters Beth, Judy (Brian) and Peggy (Darrell), son-in-law Bob and daughter-in-law Cheryl, 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren (plus 1 due in December of this year) and special adopted family--Marg and Barry Hudson and their daughters and grandchildren. She was a caring wife, mother and Grandma who loved it best when the little ones were around. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary for her family and many friends--she helped keep the post office in business with her often daily mailings throughout the land. Family weddings and reunions were especially happy occasions where she could play the matriarchal role in person to her many family members. When we were young we had an already large family but Mom (and Dad) provided foster care to many. Newcomers to the Salvation Army (especially those new to town) were regular Sunday dinner visitors. There may have been a shortage of seating but never a shortage of friends. Over the last several years after moving into seniors' housing and later the Regina Lutheran Home, she had many visits from family and the many friends close to her. She also spent many hours watching her beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto Blue Jays and the Maple Leafs. She will be missed. The family would like to thank the caring staff at the Regina Lutheran Home Unit 1 who cared for her with so much love and compassion over the past few months and Doctors Wildenboer, Williams and Gebhardt who provided their medical expertise in helping Mom. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Regina Lutheran Home or Salvation Army. A Celebration of Grandma Jo's life will be held at 1 PM at the Salvation Army Haven of Hope Church, 2012 McIntyre St in Regina on November 7, 2009. 'In the end, when you're looking back instead of forward, you want to believe that you made the most of what life gave you. You want to believe that you're leaving something good behind. You want it all to have mattered.' And Grandma Jo, you mattered. Published in the Regina Leader-Post from 11/3/2009 - 11/4/2009