Ruth Simmons, 89, Memorial Service Planned

Ruth (Blaisdell) Simmons, of Barrington and Edgartown, Mass., died at home Jan. 2, 2014. She was 89.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Sumner E. Simmons and by her daughters, Ellen Simmons of Providence and Marcia Brown of Lincoln, and by her grandchildren, Emily and Ian Brown.  She was the mother of the late David B. Simmons.

Born in Cranston, she was the daughter of Sidney Blaisdell and Eleanor (Platt) Blaisdell.  She was a graduate of Hope High School and Lasell College.  

Simmons was an active volunteer with many organizations, including the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, R.I. Audubon Society and the Barrington Congregational Church.  Her quiet opposition to the Vietnam War earned her a place on Nixon’s “enemies” list, of which she was very proud.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Hope Club in Providence at 12 noon.  Internment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Home and Hospice Care of Rhode Island.