Estelle Elizabeth Simons

Estelle Elizabeth Simons, also affectionately known as “Aunt Betty” was a registered nurse who had a natural gift for caring and serving others with dignity, respect, and true compassion. Estelle passed away on June 2nd, 2024, one day shy of her 90th birthday. She was born on June 3rd, 1934, in New Richmond Ohio, to the late English Glenn and Naomi Emily Simons. She was the last of eight children, five boys and three girls. The family experienced tough times --economic hardship during The Great Depression and World War II era but survived and thrived. The family moved to Wisconsin settling in Milton Junction where Estelle went to primary school through high school. After graduating from Milton Union High School in 1950, Estelle continued her education at Cook County School of Nursing in Chicago Illinois, graduating September 18, 1961. Her first son was born in Chicago Illinois in 1955 shortly after her 21st birthday. She worked hard gaining experience in her nursing career working first at Washington Hospital Center. She met her future husband, married, and moved to Washington DC. There on December 3, 1964, her second son was born. In 1969, she separated and moved to Forestville Maryland. She was at that time working at Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington D.C. as a supervising psychiatric nurse. In 1988, she then relocated to Nashville Tennessee and soon worked at Baptist Hospital for an additional 5 years prior to fully retiring. During her 35-years nursing career, Estelle received several awards and recognitions including the Recognition of Excellence Cash Awards in 1983, Recognition of Quality Performance 1986, Outstanding Performance Rating Award in 1988, and Certificate of Excellence in 1988. She also received numerous employee service awards in Forensic Psychiatry Division. She was known for her commitment to quality patient care by her colleagues. Estelle was a special mother to her two sons, and while in Nashville she also found time to raise two foster children Cody and Louis. Aside for her love of her children, she was also committed to and loved the Lord. She served in various ministries at her home church of Bourdeaux SDA Church, TN. She relocated to Castro Valley California (2010) near her eldest son Raymond. In 2015, she moved back Washington Metropolitan Area and lived at Knollwood Military Life Planned Community (Independent Senior Living) near her son David. As she began to grapple with the onset of dementia, she moved in with her son David and daughter-in-law Natalia in Stafford, Virginia (2021). Estelle is survived by her two sons Raymond Simons his wife Marilee Simons, David Simons his wife Natalia Simons, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren, nieces/nephews and other relatives and friends. A celebration of life service will be held at Breath of Life Seventh Day Adventist Church, 11310 Fort Washington Road, Fort Washington Maryland 20744, Monday, June 10th at 1:00 PM. A private family repast will follow at Breath of Life SDA downstairs fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of Estelle Elizabeth Simons to The National Wildlife Federation {Give a Tribute or Memorial Gift – “support.nwf.org”} and/or Plant a tree in her memory at “alivingtribute.org”