Valerie June Reed Simmons, 49, of Friendship, passed away on Dec. 3 at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta, following a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born on July 11, 1958 in Damariscotta, a daughter of Philip and Evelyn Genthner Reed. She attended school in Friendship and Waldoboro.
In July of 1975, she married Donald Simmons, Sr., and they made their home in Friendship. She was employed at Sylvania for four years and worked beside her husband managing the family business, Blue Lobster Fishery, in Friendship.
She was a wonderful mother and a friend to all. She was always willing to help her family and others; she was known as a “mother hen”. She will be remembered for being kind and thoughtful and a woman who enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. While Val was a patient at Cove’s Edge, her 100-year-old grandmother, Mildred Reed, visited her every day bringing a smile to both their faces. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She was predeceased by her son, Shane Simmons, in 1998; and brother, Drew Reed.
Survivors include her husband, Donald W. Simmons, Sr. of Friendship; daughter, Crystal Lee and husband Jason of Friendship; sons, Donald Simmons, Jr., and fiancée Amanda Brown of Friendship, and Seth Simmons and companion Hannah Thompson of Friendship; parents, Philip and Evelyn Reed of Friendship; grandmother, Mildred Reed of Friendship and Cove s Edge, Damariscotta; brothers, Mark Reed and wife Cindy of Friendship, Wade Reed and wife Sherry of Friendship, Duane Reed and wife Ginger of Friendship, Shawn Reed of Friendship, and Donald Reed of Friendship; daughter-in-law, Heidi Simmons of Friendship; grandchildren, Payton and Drew Simmons of Rockland, Daisy and Buster Lee of Friendship, and Owen and Anna Underhill of Friendship; uncles, Wendell and Robert Reed of Friendship; special uncle, Ashley Genthner of Thomaston; aunt, Marie Andrews of Fort Myers, Fla.; mother and father-in-law, Donald and Emma Simmons of Friendship; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Graveside service 1 p.m., Fri., Dec. 7 at the Reed Family Cemetery in Friendship.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Valerie’s memory to the Friendship Ambulance, c/o Phyllis Canary, P.O. Box 88, Friendship, ME 04547.
Services under entrusted to the care of Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
