Bette M. Simmons
Bette M. Simmons, 88, died on August 24, 2015, at Maplewood Campus, Canton. Calling hours will be 3 -6 PM , August 27, the funeral service will be August 28, at 2 PM, at the funeral home, Reverend Robert Schirmer officiating, burial will follow in Mount Alone Cemetery, Town of Oswegatchie. She is survived by her daughters, Judy McEathron of Lisbon, Peggy Whiteford of Rochester, Dale Simmons and her husband Kevin Emler of Rochester, Gina and her husband David Nourse of Cortland, adopted son, Ross Kostin of Rensselaer Falls, a sister, Helen and her husband Don Houck of Canastota, a brother in law, Nelson Austin of Hermon, grandchildren, Lisa and her husband Don Wright, Jennie and her husband Will Harper, Michelle and her husband Matt Kraft, John Nourse, Bill and his wife Leesha Emler, great grandchildren, Zachary Wright, Calleigh Harper, Haley Kraft, Benjamin Kraft, Jacob Emler, Madison Emler, Ryan Emler, several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Jerry, brothers, Stanley and his wife Alice Childs, Merlin and his wife Jean Childs, sisters, Minnie and her husband Al Pike, Laura Austin, a granddaughter Cheryl Simmons, and a great granddaughter, Morgan Kraft. Bette was born on May 1, 1927 in Kendrew, New York, the daughter of the late Ralph and Beatrice Stone Childs. She attended the country school in Kendrew and graduated from Ogdensburg Free Academy in 1944. She married Hudson Simmons, October 10, 1945, at the Methodist Parsonage in Rensselaer Falls, he predeceased her on April 3, 2004. She was nurse’s aide at Kinney Nursing Home in Gouverneur for 15 years and prior to that she was a cleaning lady at the Gillette Nursing Home in DeKalb Junction. Bette was a member of the Kendrew Methodist Church and the Kendrew Grange Ladies Aid. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and making quilts. She made over 400 quilts during her lifetime for family and friends. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many other children who called her grandma and thought of her as if she was their grandmother. Contributions can be made to the Kendrew Grange, c/o Jane Pike 176 Judson Street Road Canton, New York, 13617 or Maplewood Campus, 205 State Street Road, Canton, New York 13617. Bette’s family would like to thank the nurses, staff and doctors at Canton Potsdam Hospital, a special thanks to the aides, nurses,and staff at Maplewood and Hospice for the care given to Bette and them.
Deepest sympathy to Bette’s family and friends. I am so sorry for your loss! (I was just talking to Helen yesterday, and she was saying Bette wasn’t doing well), and I offered my thoughts and prayers on her behalf. Bette was beautiful friend of the family, and I can remember sitting in their kitchen, chatting up a storm, with her, while waiting for Hudson to finish working on my car a few times years ago! Wow, I can’t believe how much she resembles her Mother, Beatrice,in this picture. Our families have been friends for years…remember the good times, and Bette will live on in your lives and hearts forever! God’s Blessings to all!
Love, Marion
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time I worked with Bette in the Kinney Nursing Home 70s and 80s she was one of the best aides I ever worked with May she RIP
Peggy sorry for your loss may she be at peace with you Dad
My deepest sympathy for the whole family.
Some of my best childhood memories are from the years I spent on the Newcomb Rd running between my grandparents (Grandpa Joe’s) and Husdon & Bette ‘s place I used to think I had 3 sets of grandparents and that I was related to everyone with the last name Simmons (still kinda do). I remember the smell of fresh made donuts (the likes of which I will NEVER find elsewhere). I remember her garden, she had so much patience and would guide us as to what to pick and what to let grow. I remember sitting in their kitchen with my dad or grandpa as they visited over coffee- they never scurried us off like all the other adults would but let us sit and listen to their stories which were many and made us feel so important. I think I even recall a special stool (which looking back probably was not really just for me)It was one of my favorite places to visit. I remember getting to stay the night when Michelle and Peggy would come to visit, no one did breakfast better or had better blankets! I can still here Bette’s giggle and laugh and remember her voice, with such detail. I will never forget the donut holes she would leave at Grandpa Joes- a bag for Grandpa and a bag just for me! what I wouldn’t give to pack up my kids and run to heaven to visit over coffee with all those storytellers again! God has blessed all of us who were touched by the joy of knowing Bette. She will be greatly missed, lovingly remembered and never forgotten.
So many years have passed since Bet and I were kids. As she always reminded me.(I REMEMBER THE DAY YOU WERE BORN) Grandma Childs was taking care of Minnie,Bette,Laura and Merlin. Bette always laughed about Grandma wringing her hands and crying poor Beatrice will never live through this one!!and then Bette would laugh and say , BOY WAS SHE WRONG. Love you Bet and will miss you saying{if it’s gonna be it’s gonna be!!!!} Many great memories of her and Hud they were always there when I needed them. Your in my heart Bet. Your little sister Helen. Rip Bet and don’t you and Hud drink all the coffee and eat all the do-nuts before I get there! Love and prayers to the family.
To Judy and the many other family members I had to pleasure to meet and come to know, please accept my heartfelt sympathies on Bette’s passing. She was a pleasure to know, and I am sure that her memorial will be a celebration of the long and fruitful life she led. May she rest in peace, and may her memory live on always in the hearts of those who knew her.