Mary Lynne Simms

Mary Lynne Simms, known as Lynne to friends and family, was born in Toledo, OH, in 1934. She died on July 13th in Yardley,PA, following a brief illness.

Born to the late Leonard and Mary Bernice (Coehrs) Peterson, and raised in Toledo, OH, and Bay City, MI, Lynne graduated in 1952 from St.James High School in Bay City, MI, in 1955 with an RN certification from Mercy Hospital’s (Toledo) nursing program, in 1957 from Toledo’s Mary Manse College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, and in 1974 from the University of Delaware with a Master’s Degree in Nursing.

In 1959 Lynne married her high school sweetheart, Robert John Simms of Bay City, MI, and with him lived their first year of married life in Toledo, OH. Their first daughter, Helen Marie, was born there, but, soon after her birth, packaging engineering work took Lynne’s husband to Vineland, NJ, where their three other daughters were born, and later to Yardley, PA, where she finished her career in Health administration.

Upon retiring to Sunset Beach, NC, while her husband, Bob, golfed and followed sports, Lynne worshipped at St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church, and as a talented artist enjoyed painting in oils and watercolors. She was long associated with the local Waterway Art Association. In addition, Lynne enjoyed her book club gatherings, meeting her friends for walks on the beach and in Sunset Beach Town Park, attending cultural events and volunteer endeavors.

Lynne, was the wife of the late Robert John Simms, and mother of the late Helen Marie Simms. Her daughters Amy (Roderick) Maclean, Kathy (Mark) Sanford, and Patsy (Mitchell) Goldfield, six grandchildren, nine nieces and nephews, sister Sue (Ed) Bush, brothers Gene, Jerry (Toddy) and Chuck Peterson, and her friends will miss her big smile, her sense of curiosity about world events and the arts, her kindness, and her generosity.

Lynne’s family is grateful to the staff of Accent Care, Bristol, PA, for her care during her home hospice stay with her daughter Kathy in Yardley, PA.

Friends may gather on Monday, July 22, at 11:30 a.m. at the J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel, 41 W. Trenton Avenue in Morrisville, PA, to share with family memories of Lynne. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 27th at St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church, Shallotte, NC. Inurnment will follow at the church’s columbarium.