Gladys "Gerry" Geraldine Simmons' Obituary
GLADYS GERALDINE
SIMMONS (GERRY)
was born to Dulin "Boss"
and Susie Lynn in Orange,
California on June 22, 1923.
She passed away in Loma
Linda on July 29, 2011. She
was raised in San Bernardi
no and graduated from San
Bernardino High School.
During World War II she
worked in the Payroll De
partment at Norton Air
Force Base and later at
Harris'. She married Dwane
Simmons on May 3, 1947
and lived in Highland for 55
years. After the birth of
their second child in 1952,
Dwane was stricken with
polio. This happened right
after he was honorably dis
charged from the Navy and
right before the Salk vaccine
was available to prevent
this disease. Dwane was
paralized from the chest
down with limited arm
movement. Gerry became
his devoted caregiver for 46
years, kept up the house,
and together they raised
their two children. Dwane
remained for the rest of his
life confined to a wheelchair.
He was able to resume his
civil engineering career but
Gerry had to transport him
to work and back daily. She
did all of this with love and
care. Despite such a hard
ship both Gerry and Dwane
kept a positive outlook on
life.
Even though it was difficult
at times they were able to
enjoy their life, and with
help from family members
they enjoyed traveling to
Hawaii, New Mexico, Arizo
na, Neveda, Northern Cali
fornia. They immensely en
joyed the company of family
and friends. They were ex
tremely proud of thier four
grandchildren who gave
them much joy.
A few years after her be
loved husband passed away,
Gerry moved into Heritage
Gardens Retirement and As
sisted Living Center. She
loved living there and par
ticipating in the activities;
especially dominoes and bin
go.
Gerry will be missed by
many. Survivors include her
daughter and son-in-law,
Carol and Ricci Pelazini of
Redlands, California; her
son and daughter-in law,
Keith and Chris Simmons of
Pacific Grove, California;
and grandchildren, Rico and
Katie Pelazini of Boise, Ida
ho, and Katharine, Christo
pher and Claire Simmons of
Pacific Grove.
A special thank you to the
many relatives and friends,
and especially her friend,
Elaine Weaver and her fam
ily who have helped over
the years and also to Lisa
Leak and her wonderful
staff at Heritage Gardens
Retirement and Assisted
Living Center where Gerry
lived for the last five years.
The staff treats the resi
dents witn devotion and
love. Charter Hospice is also
much appreciated for their
care and concern. Both
should be commended for
their dignified and respect
ful treatment of the resi
dents.
Graveside services will be
10 A.M., Th., Aug. 4, 2011
at Mt. View Cemetery, 570
E. Highland Ave, San Bern
dino, CA
In lieu of flowers, the family
request donations to Para
lyzed Veterans or any chari
ty of the donor's choice. The
Paralyzed Veteran's website
is www.pva.org (Follow the
prompt to donate in the
memory of Gerry), phone
number for donations is
(800) 555-9140 and the do
nation address is Paralyzed
Veterans, 7 Mill Brook Rd.,
Wilton, NH 03086.
What’s your fondest memory of Gladys?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gladys?
Share a story where Gladys' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gladys you’ll never forget.
How did Gladys make you smile?