SIMMONS , Jean Simmons (née Brown)

Jean Simmons (née Brown) passed peacefully at the age of 89 on August 18, 2025, at the Chatham Kent Hospice surrounded by the love of family.

Jean was born to Joseph and Mary (née Tallon) Brown in West Virginia, USA, and raised in Bridgewater, PA. Jean became Canadianized when she married James Simmons and was together forty-two years before his death in 1997.

She patiently waited nine years to become a mother to Steven Simmons (2023) and nineteen years to Sarah (Jeff) Tewkesbury and Rosemary (Scott) Ellsworth. God made her a proud Nana to Scott, Rachel, Natalie, and Nicholas. She happily cared for them all as babies and preschoolers and then supported all their sports, arts, and life endeavours over the years right up to her passing.

Jean was a social person all her life, from her early days of roller skating to her shuffleboard days and then throughout her Christian Walk. She kept busy singing in various groups over many years including the Gospelaires quartet, Senior Choir, Friends of Buxton, and Simmons trio with her daughters.

She loved God as her provider, healer, strength, and guide. Her main desire was that all would learn to lean on God and find Him as their Saviour.

Jean worked at various jobs over the years, from elevator operator at Penn Beaver Hotel as a teen, then here at Walkers and later the William Pitt Hotel. She was park supervisor at Taylor Community Centre with Evelyn Wright and influenced many youths and made friends over her years there. She worked seasonally at Campbell Soup Company from the 70’s to early 90’s.

Jean leaves to mourn her two daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, church family, and a host of nieces and nephews she had an impact on over the years. She is predeceased by her husband, son, parents and in-laws (Charles and Edna Simmons), siblings Betty Lee, Kenneth and Zelma (Vongray), sister and brothers-in-law, Eleanor (Alvin) Ladd, Lucille (Stan) Ladd, Maida (Rev. Randall) Hands, Carol Bowman, and several nieces and nephews.

Jean will be missed greatly by many families and friends who knew her as Mom, Nana, Aunt Jean, and friend over the years.

Resting at the Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home, 156 William St. S., Chatham from 4–8 pm on Friday, August 22, 2025.

Visitation will also take place at Union Baptist Church, 10586 Union Line, Dresden, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 10:30am until the time of the service at 11:30 am.

Zoom Link HERE
Meeting ID: 519 683 4688
Passcode: UBC

Burial will take place in Maple Leaf Cemetery.

Donations can be made to the Chatham-Kent Hospice or Union Baptist Church.

The family wishes to thank all the service providers who assisted in caring for Mom these past several months including ParaMed – Carolyn/Nick, VON nursing staff, Care Partners – PSW’s Bryn, Megan, Sarah, and Nicole, Dr. G. Sultan, and Hospice staff.

Memories and notes of condolence may be shared at Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home.