Darlene Watts Simmons October 10, 1931 – December 20, 2018 Share this obituary Local Florists Send Sympathy Gifts Sign Guestbook| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Darlene Watts Simmons LINCOLN – Darlene Watts Simmons died peacefully in her sleep on December 20, 2018. Darlene was born on October 10, 1931 in Rockland, Maine to Harold Simon Watts and Gretchen Thelma Gordon. Darlene married her high school sweetheart, William Emery Simmons, on January 12, 1952.
Their two daughters, Janie Elizabeth Simmons (with her husband, Eric Metcalf) and Barbara Simmons Olesen, along with seven grandchildren (Daniel, Belen, William (Billy), Dustin, Matias, Mikkel and Mika) and one great-grandchild (Mason), hold her in their hearts. She is also remembered by her sister, Sherrill Watts Weaver, numerous nieces and nephews, and many close friends too numerous to mention. Her husband of 55 years, her brother (Floyd Gordon Watts), and son (William Martin Simmons) predeceased her.
After growing up on her father’s dairy farm in St. George, Maine, Darlene ventured to Massachusetts where she attended Becker Junior College. Subsequently, she worked as a medical secretary until the birth of her first child. After raising her 3 children, first in Danvers, Massachusetts and then in Topsfield, Massachusetts, and serving as Cub Scout, Brownie, Girl Scout leader, and Sunday School teacher at the Topsfield Congregational Church, while participating in numerous other community organizations, Darlene went to work at Varian Semi-Conductor Equipment Associates Inc. in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
In the early 1980’s, Darlene and Emery retired to Lincoln, Vermont, where they built a beautiful home with the assistance of local craftsmen. Darlene became very active in the Lincoln United Church as a Deacon, a Sunday school teacher, a substitute teacher, and a member of Aid Industria, the women’s outreach and fellowship group. Darlene was an avid reader, a great listener, and a friend to many.
She loved animals, especially her beloved dogs, Cali and Coppah. She was committed to her Christian faith, from which she derived much strength. She loved holidays, especially Christmas and Easter, and her children and grandchildren fondly remember many trips “over the hill and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go” for the festivities.
Darlene was kind, and always tried to help those in need. Even in the last years, when her health was not at her prime, she was always ready with a smile and a wonderful sense of humor to uplift the spirits of those around her. She will be missed.
A memorial service will be held at the Lincoln United Church on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m., January 5, 2019 followed by an informal gathering at Burnham Hall. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to contribute, please donate to the Aid Industria of the United Lincoln Church, the Lincoln library, Elderly Services, Inc., Addison County Home Health and Hospice, Inc. or Homeward Bound Addison County Humane Society. Arrangements are under the direction of the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home.
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