Mary Simmons Obituary

Mancos resident Mary A. Simmons died Thursday, June 14, 2012, at her home. She was 94.

Mrs. Simmons was born Oct. 25, 1917, in Palmer Lake to August and Emma Albrecht. She grew up in Durango where she attended schools and graduated from Durango High School. She spent much of her life living near Hermosa Valley.

In the 1940s she married Wade Simmons and the couple lived in Durango. Mr. Simmons preceded his wife in death in 1971.

In 1994, Mrs. Simmons moved to Mancos to be near her daughter. She was an active member of the Baptist Church.

"She loved to sew and quilt and was a talented baker of breads and pies," her family said. "Mary was very family-oriented in her love and service," they said.

"She loved the Lord with all her heart," said her daughters, Kira Ratliff and Karen Patcheck.

Mrs. Simmons was preceded in death by a daughter, Kristen Simmons, and her husband, Wade Simmons.

She is survived by her children Karen Patcheck of Mancos, Cynthia Ballard of Lakewood, Kira Ratliff of Glendale, Ariz., Mary Kay St. John of Boerne, Texas, and Wade Michael Simmons of Green Bay, Wis.; siblings Elizabeth Hillman of Aurora, Merle Albrecht of Wheat Ridge and Ernest Albrecht of Roswell, N.M.; four grandchildren; and multiple great-granchildren, nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at Hood Mortuary Chapel. Burial will follow at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango and a reception will follow at Mrs. Simmon's home in Mancos.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Manna Soup Kitchen, PO box 1196, Durango, CO 81302.