Mary Anne Simmons' Obituary
Mary Anne Simmons departed this life on May 7, 2023 at the age of 83.
She was born in Manhattan, New York on April 10, 1940 but grew up in Tampa after her parents moved here after the war. Mary Anne graduated from Jefferson High School in 1958 and Florida Central College in 1960. She worked as a legal assistant in Tampa for almost 14 years. In 1974 she married Sherwin P. Simmons, to whom she was happily wed for more than 31 years until his passing in 2006.
Over the years she gave her time and talents to organizations close to her heart, and served as a past president of the Florida Symphony Guild, a board member of Berkeley Preparatory School, and was a member of Chaine des Rotisseurs. She enjoyed traveling, reading, Broadway shows, and staying current on the latest music, movies and television shows, but nothing meant more to her than her family; her grandchildren were the apples of her eye and being “Mimi” to them all filled her heart with joy.
She is predeceased by her parents Peter and Emma Rodriguez (nee Dorso) and her husband Sherwin P. Simmons. She is survived by her sons Stephen A. Leal (Lisa) and Sherwin P. Simmons II (Brook); her beloved grandchildren Grayson Leal, Sherwin P. Simmons III, Cail Simmons, Camden Simmons, and Elliana Simmons; and her siblings Elvira “Cookie” Curtis and Peter Rodriguez Jr. (Augusta) as well as her many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 19, followed by a funeral at 11:00 on Saturday, May 20, both at Boza and Roel Funeral Home, 4730 N Armenia Ave. Tampa, FL 33603. Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, 4202 E Lake Ave. Tampa, FL 33610. Flowers may be sent to Boza and Roel by ordering through Jennis Flowers located on 2730 W Columbus Dr, Tampa, FL 33607 (813-471-1111).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) to support research for earlier detection and treatment.
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