November 30, 2015

Joyce L. Simmons, 79, of Watertown passed away Monday, November 30, 2015 at Samaritan Keep Home where she had resided since 2011.

Calling hours will be held at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown on Thursday, December 3, from 4 - 6PM. The funeral mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church on Friday, December 4, at 2PM with Rev. Jonas Tandayu, pastor, presiding and burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery.

Joyce was born in Watertown on March 6, 1936, daughter of Matt and Helen A. Card Leo and in 1953 she graduated from Watertown High School. On May 4, 1957 she married Kenneth F. Simmons Jr. at Holy Family Church with Msgr. Albert J. Farrell officiating. Mr. Simmons died December 22, 2007.

She was a civil engineer, working 38 years for the NYS Department of Transportation and in 1989 she received the Engineer of the Year from the Association of Transportation Engineers, Section 7. Joyce was a communicant of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, a member of its Home and School Assoc., and volunteered for many different functions at the church. She was a former member of the Watertown Women's Bowling Assoc. and was an avid Yankees fan. After retiring, she befriended and supported the Sisters of St. Joseph.

She is survived by her daughter and her husband, Susan M. and David R. Crump, Potsdam; two sons, Timothy A. Simmons and David A. Simmons and his husband, Scott Rennie, all of Watertown; sister Rosalie A. Erneston, Plant City, FL; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Along with her husband, Kenneth, Joyce was predeceased by her parents, her step father, F. William Manley, and her granddaughter, Nicole Crump.

Donations in her name may be made to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, 320 W. Lynde St. or Samaritan Keep Home, 6th Floor Patient Activities Fund, 133 Pratt St., both in Watertown, NY 13601. Online condolences may be made at www.cummingsfuneral.com.