Obituaries
Mary Simmons, 87
May 17, 2025
After a long, rich, and impactful life, Mary Simmons, formerly of Strasburg, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 17 at the age of 87 at Oak Leaf Manor South in Millersville. The daughter of Roger and Blanch Tilton, she was born and grew up in Franklin, New Hampshire. She was married for forty-two years to Frederick Simmons, now deceased, and had four children – Bruce Simmons (wife Hawa), Michael Simmons (wife AJ), Tracey Shaubach (husband Dale), and Bess Simmons – four grandchildren, three step grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
Mary was truly a light on this earth, always approaching life from a perspective of humility, generosity, and abundance and she was beloved by all who were fortunate enough to know her. She greeted everyone with empathy and interest. She always found something to compliment you on, and when you were in front of her you were the most important person on earth. No one ever came away from an interaction with her without feeling better about themselves.
Throughout her life, Mary embodied the qualities we aspire to. She was brilliant, reliable, determined, engaging, generous, talented, humble, calm, and friendly. Even as age and disease diminished her, she maintained her essence, impacting those she met until the end.
She was the mother that everyone wants – unconditionally loving, nurturing and kind, smart and fun, a tireless advocate and a second mother to all her children’s friends. Her house was always open to friends, acquaintances, and sometimes virtual strangers. She was a great cook who always was happy to have extra people for dinner and holidays.
After raising her children, she created a successful 25-year career, retiring as Member Service Coordinator for MediGuard Insurance Company (later Blue Cross Blue Shield). She was a fantastic baker and cake decorator, providing a generation of locals in Strasburg with birthday and wedding cakes.
She will be profoundly missed, but she will surely remain with all of us who knew her.
A celebration of her life will be held at Charles F. Snyder III Funeral Home & Crematory, 2421 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street, PA 17584, on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 4PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation at https://alzfdn.org/.
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Condolences to the Family
May 29, 2025
Such a beautiful woman inside and out! She was truly a class act and a joy to work with. Such a beautifully written obituary!
Kourtney Randsdorp
May 29, 2025
Mike and family, my prayers are with all of you. I first met your Mom about 45 years ago after Mike & I met at F&M. Beautiful tribute in the obituary and it brought tears reading about being a “second mother to all her children’s friends.” Whenever we would see her she would greet us and speak with us in the same manner that a caring parent would, even we were long “out of the nest.” Wishing you all comfort at this times and good memories to carry on. Charlie
May 29, 2025
Dear Family, we the New Hampshire family are grieving with you. She was a sister, aunt, loved coming to NH. After we had word she had passed, looked out our window and there was a Red Cardinal landing on the patio she had found us and was saying goodbye. Blessed are we who believe…..Roger, Rose and family
May 29, 2025
I loved Mary’s spirit of kindness and calm in all situations. I worked with her at HealthGuard for many years and she would bring me bags of her most delicious chocolate chip cookies…she would say “oh, those were the the burnt ones”, but they really weren’t, she just wanted to share cookies with me because she knew how I loved them. I loved going to her bakery and always brought home delicious treats for the family. Such a happy place. How did she have the energy to get up so early to bake and then go to work at her full time job at HealthGuard? I was so blessed to know her. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Deb Snavely
May 28, 2025
Dear Mike and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. It was truly a joy and an honor to meet your mom and spend time with her. I truly looked forward to seeing her each day. She brought joy to my life everyday we were together. I miss her greatly. She will forever hold a special place in my heart. Thinking of you all during this time.
Danita
May 28, 2025
Deepest sympathies and condolences to the Simmons family and friends. May you many memories bring you comfort at this time. God bless.
Robert Cummings
May 28, 2025
Simmons Family, I’m sorry to read of your Mom’s passing, she was a shining light. Hold on to all the wonderful memories, and know that she is now with Fred. My sincere condolences. She was a great woman!!!!
Ron Rose
May 27, 2025
Dear Mary you were the sweetest cousin any could have had remember the time we spent with you and your children was the best ever laughs and going to your camp Delware ILove forever and all the laughs
Love Roberta
May 27, 2025
So sorry for your loss!
Paula
May 27, 2025
Dear Mike, Bruce and Bess;
Sending you all our deepest heartfelt sympathy in your mom’s passing! What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful person we’re so grateful to have known! Mary touched our family through her talent of baking with every cake she made to celebrate all our birthdays and her amazing apple pies were always at our holiday dinners. She’s left quite a legacy and may her memory live on in each of you! Thinking of you at this difficult time. Bev & Jim Doughty
- Services
- Monday, June 02, 2025
- 4:00 PM
- Charles F. Snyder III Funeral Home & Crematory
- 2421 Willow Street Pike
- Willow Street, PA
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