Eleanor L. Simmons

Eleanor Lup Simmons, 87, passed away October 3, 2010, after a long period of declining health. She is survived by her children Michael Simmons (Bitsey), Merrie Simmons-Kazia (Ken), and Melody Simmons ( Michael Brown) and grandchildren Christopher Simmons, Nicholas Kazia, Joseph Kazia, Ben Brown and Susannah Brown. She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Guy Alton Simmons, her parents Moses and Maria Lup, and sister Valerie Musat.

Born in Romania in 1923, she came to America in 1927 with her parents who had immigrated to America through Ellis Island in 1910. She grew up in East Chicago, Indiana, where she and her family were surrounded and actively involved in the Romanian Orthodox community. Eleanor graduated from Indiana State University and taught elementary music in the Chicago area for several years until she met her husband, Guy, and married in 1953. After moving to Jacksonville, Florida in 1962, she taught in the Duval County Public Schools for 33 years as a music teacher at Arlington Heights, Lone Star, Lake Lucina, and many other schools. She brought many hours of joy through her music and love for teaching to thousands of students through the years. There are many fond memories of her standing in front of a class with her auto harp or herding a group of neighborhood children into a car for a trip to see a musical or the symphony.

She loved to read and would often be seen picking up a handful of new books to devour. She also loved to cook and introduced many a person to the wonderful tastes of Romanian and Eastern European dishes. There was never a hungry person who left her home after a meal. She dedicated her life to her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and a friend to many.

Visitation will be held from 5:30 P.M., to 8:00 P.M, with a Trisagion service being held 6:00 P.M. at St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church. Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church with Reverend, Dr. Milton Magos officiating. Interment will follow in Chapel Hills Memory Gardens. In lieu of flower’s the family respectfully request, donations be made to the St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church building fund or Community Hospice of Northeast Florida in Eleanor’s name. Words of comfort may be left at hardage-giddenschapelhills.com. Arrangement by Chapel Hills Funeral Home. (904) 641-9755