Anna Elizabeth Simoni (nee Allwein), 87, of Hallowell, died Jan. 31 in Augusta.
Born in Saxton, Penn. on Dec. 23, 1922 to Elmer Aloysius Allwein and Naomi Graffious Allwein, Anna graduated from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Penn. with an emphasis on human medicine. She devoted her life to her family, church, and community. A life-long volunteer, Anna made notable contributions of time and talent to many Flint, Mich. area organizations including Holy Family Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Easter Seals, the American Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity. She was an avid learner, studying literature, horticulture, anthropology, and archaeology. A patron of the arts, Anna recounted playing in her high school band with Henry Mancini and creating a local “Celebrities and Coffee” lecture-concert series that featured Erma Bombeck, Anna Chennault, and Maria von Trapp. She was inspired by the natural beauty of the world and the diverse cultural accomplishments of its peoples, heightened through her extensive travel in the United States, Europe, and China.
Anna strove to impart her knowledge and values to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren throughout her life. She lived by example, reading to her family, taking joy in their daily lives, and praying daily for their health and well being.
Anna is survived by seven children, Christopher Simoni and wife Julia Wentz, Kathleen Mack and husband Russell T. Mack of Round Pond, Mark Simoni and wife Cheryl Simoni, Mary Simoni Dowd and husband Kevin Dowd, Amy Simoni, Martha Clarke and husband Duncan Clarke, and Elizabeth Simoni; grandchildren, Beth Simoni Dougherty and husband Steve Dougherty, Vanessa Anne Simoni Happel and husband Mike Happel, Anthony Simoni, Benjamin Simoni and wife Jen Mazalewski Simoni, Leah Simoni, J.B. Mack and wife Laura Mack, Emily Mack, Shannon Dowd, Sarah Dowd, Max Thumma, Ralph Birgfeld, and Kasper Birgfeld; great-grandchildren, Christopher Dougherty, Emily Dougherty, Ethan Dougherty, Stefanie Anne Marvin, Madeline Anne Happel, Ella Mack, Ruby Mack, and Antonio Mack; and sister, Margaret Gorin and brother-in-law, Everett Gorin and their two children, Marsha and Joseph Gorin.
Funeral mass commemorating her life 11 a.m., Wed., June 23 at Holy Family Church in Grand Blanc, Mich.
Memorial donations in her honor may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) or the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
