Obituary of Mary Simmers

SIMMERS – Mary, 86, Ebensburg, died Oct. 7, 2011, in Cambria Township. Born Aug. 31, 1925, in Revloc, daughter of Peter and Helen (Spelar) Bellock. Preceded in death by parents; first husband, Michael Deskevich, in 1955; second husband, Thomas Simmers, in 1993; brothers, Michael, Martin, Nicholas and Alex; and sisters, Nancy and Rose. Survived by sons, Thomas J. Simmers III, married to Belinda, Princeton Junction, N.J.; Dennis C. Simmers, married to Marie, Ebensburg; and Shawn T. Simmers, married to Betsy, Altoona; grandchildren, Erin, Kristin, Thomas IV, Timothy, Jocelyn, Madyson, Allyson and Loralyn; and great-grandchildren, Jameson and Taylor June Simmers. Sister of Anna Olexo, Revloc; and Helen Yendzik, Sidman. Mary was a very proud 1943 graduate of Ebensburg Cambria High School. During World War II, Mary was employed by Ration Board in Revloc. She was proud of her war years service, and much later in life, continued exercising her national pride by acting as the long-time treasurer of Ebensburg VFW Ladies auxiliary. She also was employed by Steven’s Manufacturing Co., Bob Simmers Ford Sales and St. Francis Hospital, Milwaukee, Wis. Lifetime member of Protection of the BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church, Revloc, where she enjoyed a lifetime of dedicated service. In her personal life, Mary was well-traveled in North America, enjoyed music, arts and crafts, and local/regional/national theater. As recently as July 2010, Mary traveled to New York City by train and saw “Mary Poppins” on Broadway with several of her children and grandchildren. Mary enjoyed many good years at Ebensburg Senior Center, including her role in Eben-Angles. Mary was a kind and compassionate person who was a special aunt to many nieces and nephews, as well as many children who had the good fortune to cross her path. A sincere “God Bless You and Thank You” to the countless family and friends who were there for Mary through the good times and bad. Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Matevish and Matevish Funeral Home, Ebensburg, where Parastas will be at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. A brief ceremony will be held at the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. Monday, followed by funeral Liturgy at 10 a.m. at Protection of the BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church, Revloc, the Rev. Andrew Krasulski. Entombment, Holy Name Cemetery, Ebensburg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s name to Central Cambria Education Foundation, P.O. Box 624 Ebensburg, Pa. 15931. Also on the web at www.cchs.k12.pa.us, Foundation Link. James 1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God the Father is this: To look after widows and orphans in their distress.” Mary’s life was the very embodiment of this passage.