Charlotte J. Simmons, 78, of Damariscotta, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of May 22 at her home. Born on Feb. 8, 1940, she was the daughter of Ross and Mildred (Bryant) Hanley.
Charlotte was born and raised in Bristol, attending local schools and graduating from Bristol High School. Charlotte’s goal in life was always to marry a good man and have four children (two girls and two boys) and she did just that. She didn’t just achieve her desire to be a good mother; she overachieved.
Charlotte not only provided for and raised her own four children, she drove countless others into adulthood. She drove the local school bus for over 40 years, spanning several generations of families; first with Castner Grammar School and then with Great Salt Bay Community School since its inception. She was more than just a bus driver for the school though; she was a volunteer, trainer, coordinator, and so much more.
Charlotte was one of the earliest EMTs in the area, working on the local ambulance crew. She was also active in both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, and her experience as an EMT led to her working as a nurse at Camp Bomazeen Boy Scout Camp during the summers for five years.
Countless summer adventures were made at Biscay Pond and on Loud’s Island, making many lifelong friends along the way. In her younger years, she drove stock cars and participated in the “Powder Puff Derby” at Wiscasset Speedway; winning once, and runner up once. She had a great love of gardening that she instilled in her children and grandchildren, was a volunteer, and was a member of the Eastern Star.
She was always there to lend a hand to anyone who needed it, and will be missed by so many. Her husband Rig summed it up best by saying, “because of her, I’ve had a good life”.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by daughter, Monica Yeakel-Thompson; and brothers, Bob, Oscar, and John.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Lowell “Rig” Simmons; children, Vicki Nichols and husband Steve, Lowell Simmons and wife Jennifer, and Scott Simmons and wife Julie; 10 grandchildren; great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; numerous friends and coworkers; and countless children and adults who rode her bus throughout the years.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Sat., June 2 in the gymnasium of the Great Salt Bay Community School. A reception will follow the service in the school’s cafeteria.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Charlotte’s memory may be made to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, PO Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556.
Condolences, and messages for her family, may be expressed by visiting StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
