Rosemary Avis (Allen) Simmons

Rosemary Avis (Allen) Simmons, 49 of Windham Maine, died Sunday, October 17, 2010, at home after a long battle with cancer, surrounded by her family. Born in Middletown,CT on May 23, 1961, daughter of Harry E. Allen and Barbara (Galvin) Allen.

She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Robert A Simmons Jr., by a loving daughter, Jessica Lynn Simmons of Windham, Maine. Mother and father, Harry and Barbara Allen of Middlefield, Connecticut, Brother “Dude” and wife Darlene Allen of Durham Connecticut, and sister Midget and husband James Apicello of Vernon Connecticut. Mother in law Jean Simmons of Portland Maine, Brother in Law Edward and wife Beth Simmons of Buxton Maine, and brother in law Kevin Simmons of Portland Maine. Rosemary has several aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins from Connecticut and Maine. She was predeceased by her sister Cynthia, grandparents Hugh and Elma “Midget” Allen, and Austin and Mable Reed of Strong Maine.

Rosemary graduated from Coginchaug High School in Durham Connecticut and attended Saint Joseph’s College, Standish Maine, where she met her husband Robert. Rosemary studied nursing and received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing.

Rosemary was a member of the Middlefield Federated Church of Middlefield Connecticut and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of Portland Maine. She will always be remembered for her smile, humor, love of our pets, (Lexie, Sunshine and Junior,) and generosity to family, friends and community. Her love for family continued to be the most important aspect of her life. She enjoyed baking, knitting, sewing, crafting, taking pictures, and family vacations. She loved visiting and attending family events in Connecticut and Maine.

She began her working career as a Certified Nurses Aid at Queen’s Nursing Home in Middletown, Connecticut, and Saint Joseph’s Nursing Home in Portland Maine. Once she received her BSN degree, she worked at Maine Medical Center in the float pool, Portland Maine, Cigna Healthsource in Freeport Maine, and her most recent position was at Patient Advocates, LLC in Gray Maine. Rosemary always enjoyed working as a nurse and caring for her patients. She found Patient Advocates was her favorite position in her nursing career. Rosemary worked twelve years as a patient Advocate in providing the best service she could on behalf of her patients. She enjoyed helping each patient just by listening to their needs, helping to solve a problem, and acting to get them the best care. She enjoyed going to her job each day because of her co-workers and their support to each patient.

She was involved in the Parent Teachers Association of Windham Maine Schools as president, cookbook fundraiser chairperson, and a room mother for many years. She enjoyed going to the classrooms and reading to children or listening to them read to her. She was a member of the Windham Lions Club as President, Vice President, Tail twister, Student of the month Chairperson, and Windham Leo Club Advisor while daughter Jessica was president of the Leos at Windham High School. Rosemary and her husband, Robert were prop masters for the Windham High School plays for many years.

Visiting hours will be Friday, October 22, 2010, from 4 to 8 at Jones, Rich, & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland, Maine. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated Saturday, October 23, 2010, 2PM, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 678 Washington Avenue, Portland, Maine with the Rev. Samuel Henderson as celebrant. Interment will follow in the family lot at Mayberry Cemetery, Windham.

Another Memorial Service will be held at Middlefield Federated Church of Middlefield, CT at a date to be announced. Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Rosemary’s guestbook.

The family would like to thank all the doctors and nursing staff at Maine Medical Center, the Gibson Pavilion of Portland, the staff at Maine Cancer Center for Medicine of Scarborough Maine, and the visiting nurses and home health care aids from Visiting Nurses Association. Special thank you to Dr. Fredrick Aronson and his staff at MCCM.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Windham Lions Club, P.O. Box 448, Windham, Maine 04062

Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Services

199 Woodford St.

Portland, ME 04103

207-775-3763

www.jonesrichandhutchins.com