Susan Jane Simmons

Susan Jane (Kirk) Simmons was born on October 9, 1918 in Burns, Oregon, The daughter or John Kirk and Leopoldine Auer. Susan graduated from Crane High School. She then graduated from the School of Nursing at the hospital in Baker City, Oregon becoming a registered nurse. Her first assignment was at the Catholic hospital in Arcata, California for a year. From Arcata she went to Chicago, Illinois and completed a graduate course in surgery. After Chicago she went to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon and was there for 19 years. She then held the position of Operating Room Manager at Willamette Falls Hospital in Oregon City, Oregon for 20 years before retiring.

Susan spent 41 years of her life as a registered nurse. She devoted her lifetime to saving lives and helping people in need live better lives.

On September 16, 1944 she married U.S. Navy Gunners Mate 2/c, James A. Simmons and had three children, Carol, Nancy, and Lee.

Susan had a massive heart attack on July 14, 2018 and died peacefully at 6am on July 15, 2018.

Susan was preceded in death by her daughter, Nancy; her sister, Betty Kirk Haven of Seattle; her two brothers Wesley Kirk of Seattle and Albert “Bob” Kirk of Seattle.

She is survived by her husband, James of Portland; daughter, Carol Ross of Calgary; son, Lee of Portland; her nieces Wanda Briggs of Seattle, Lynette Haven of Kansas City; nephews, John Kirk of Seattle, Wayne Haven of Seattle; her granddaughter, Jill Ares of Calgary and great grandson Alex Ares of Calgary.

Susan will be laid to rest at Lincoln Memorial Park in Portland.