Charlotte Simmering

“I did not have an interesting life, but it was a happy one.” These, the words of Charlotte Simmering, written so as to introduce a brief memoir, are received with an ounce of wonderment to those of us who knew her in life. How can one be happy after suffering the loss of two children and a husband? First Danny Simmering, her son, passed away. After Danny, her husband Don Simmering passed. He was followed by Charlotte's remaining son: David Simmering. Charlotte outlived them all by decades and was devastated. She had every reason to accept her life as one of suffering, of heartache, and little more. Yet, when came the time to put her story to paper, she found the word “happy” and settled on it: “I did not have an interesting life, but it was a happy one.” A happy one perhaps because she was deeply loved — first by her parents, Bert and Agnes McNichols; then by Don, Danny, David, and her daughter, Sandy Atkinson; and finally by all of us who got pulled into her orbit. Charlotte was very involved in community activities. She was an advocate for TOPS and she lead craft classes for Seniors. She enjoyed scrapbooking, ancestery, and jewelry making. Charlotte adored infants, loved the color blue, enjoyed a good laugh, and loved her family. She was kind and generous of spirit. Charlotte was selfless. She consistently put everyone else before herself. Moreover, she was perfectly feisty with a sparkle in her eye when the mood took her. Despite being broken on three separate occasions, Charlotte's heart was strong. She was strong. She was courageous. She was a model for anyone enduring hardship, and she remains a model in her passing: Charlotte's strength of character is her legacy. Charlotte, as you were in life, may you be in death: happy. May you be loved, or rather, know that you are. You are loved by all of us who remain in the wake of your departure — by your daughter, Sandy (Robert) Atkinson; grandchildren Scott (Tressa) Atkinson, Rob (Karissa) Atkinson, Tena Simmering, and David Simmering; and great-grandchildren, Tyler Simmering, Andrew Super, Anna Super, Evelyn Atkinson, Carter Atkinson, and Isaac Atkinson.