JoAnn Ellen Simons passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at her home in Hood River.

She was born August 16, 1932 at Bear River, Minnesota, the seventh child of Thomas and Mabel Coyne. She grew up there on a farm until her mother died and the family moved to the Northwest. In 1950, she graduated from Sweet Home High School.

On August 11, 2006, she married Daniel Charles Simons in Stevenson, Washington. They raised their three children in Albany, Grants Pass and Corvallis. In 1999 they moved to Hood River to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren.

JoAnn worked in medical records at Albany General Hospital. She also earned her real estate license and was a tax preparer. JoAnn spent many winters in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where she found relief from the rheumatoid arthritis that had afflicted her since early adulthood. In Lake Havasu she enjoyed singing with the community choir. In her younger years, she also was active in an artist group and enjoyed oil painting.
JoAnn loved politics and science. Always curious and interested in many things, she delighted her grandchildren with science experiments they would do together. One of her favorite Christmas gifts was a solar panel to power small appliances.

JoAnn is survived and will be greatly missed by her husband, Dan, of Hood River; her daughter Mylene Walden and her husband Greg of Hood River; her daughter Marta Simons of Hood River; and her son Mark Simons and his wife Debi of Salem, Oregon; and five grandchildren.

A private service for JoAnn will be held Monday, May 19th at 4:30PM at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Hood River.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, OR 97031. Please visit our website to view and print Bob’s obituary and sign the guest book for family.