Jane R. Simmons, 78, of Bristol, passed away on Nov. 1 at Maine Medical Center in Portland after a sudden illness.
She was born on Dec. 14, 1934 in West Townsend, Mass. to Richard D. and Dorothy B. Rusk. She was educated in Massachusetts and New Hampshire schools, graduating from Laconia High School in New Hampshire. Jane proceeded to attend Simmons College in Boston where she earned bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Chemistry.
From 1964 to 1998 Jane devoted her career to work with the Massachusetts State Laboratory’s metabolic disorders unit. There she was widely recognized for her dedication in helping to implement the world’s first newborn screening program established to prevent mental retardation by identifying newborns with the metabolic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). Jane was deeply committed to her work, and proud to be part of such an important advance in public health. Most of all, she was motivated every day by the difference she knew newborn screening for PKU made, and continues to make, in the lives of so many children.
After retirement, she and her husband Robert (Robin) Simmons made their home in Bristol and counted their blessings every day for being together in Maine, where they have shared a love of the salt air and Pemaquid Point, music and movies, becoming a part of a friendly and caring community, and cheering on the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox.
In fact, Jane was the truest, bluest Red Sox fan ever, endowed by her father and mother with a passionate, never faltering love of the game. It was a passion she passed on to her three children during the countless times they spent riding the trolley (and later the Kenmore Square bus) from their home in Newton, Mass. to Fenway Park, and sitting together in the bleachers. She watched every game with great enthusiasm and wanted nothing more than the Red Sox to win the World Series at Fenway Park, a wish she happily saw come true before her sudden illness last week.
Jane was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Robert (Robin) Simmons; children, Susan Carr and husband Leonard Shine of North Canton, Conn. and Bremen, and grandchildren Lucas, Kelley and Anna Jane Shine; Richard Carr and wife Peggy Mancuso, of Norwood, Mass.; Robert Carr Jr. and wife Michaella Dewaele of Evans, Ga., and granddaughter Collette Carr and former daughter-in-law Andrea Carr of Ocala, Fla.; and first husband, Robert N. Carr of Northport, Fla.
A service to celebrate Jane’s life will be held at 1 p.m., Sun., Nov. 10 atthe New Harbor United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Housing Improvement Project (CHIP), PO Box 6, New Harbor, ME 04554.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
