WILMINGTON — Anna “Ann” Simmonds, 90, of Wilmington, NC died on August 6, 2025.
Ann was born July 24, 1935, in Peekskill, NY. She was the daughter of Sante and Margherita Franchi from Soriano nel Cimino, Italy. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Thomas W. Simmonds, her two sisters Paula Capuozzo and Angela Cerrone, and her son-in-law Bill Underwood.
She is survived by her four children, twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Linda Simmonds Underwood of Wilmington, NC, Thomas Richard Simmonds (Kimberly) of Oswego, NY, James Robert Simmonds (Cindy) of Cumming, GA, and Cheryl Simmonds Yetman (Thomas) of Middletown, NJ. Her grandchildren are Bill Underwood (Britt), Matthew Underwood, Suzanne Price (Jim), Julie Richardson (Tim), Jennifer Underwood, Thomas Simmonds, Jameson Simmonds, Tyler Simmonds, Thomas Yetman (Amanda), Lauren Hoffman (Jeremy), Ryan Yetman (Casey), Amanda Yetman, and great grandchildren Queenie, Alice and Lyra Price, Milo Richardson, Milana Simmonds, and Leighton, Greyson and Ruston Yetman.
Ann grew up in Peekskill, NY on a rural estate with her loving immigrant parents, where she developed a lifelong love of cooking, gardening, and growing flowers. She met her husband Thomas, from Brooklyn, and they married in 1957 and raised four children in Cortlandt Manor, NY.
Ann was a wonderful homemaker who loved to cook delicious meals for her family. For over 50 years, Ann perfected having her grand Sunday dinner ready at halftime of the NY Football Giants game. She also worked as an office manager at a local dentist’s office. In 1988, they retired and moved to Wilmington, NC and enjoyed decorating and landscaping their new home. Their greatest enjoyment was having their children and grandchildren visit every summer and having adventures together at their home and the beach.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff of the Davis Healthcare Community, and the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Foundation, for their care and kindness towards Ann.
The family will receive visitors at 11 am on Sunday September 7, 2025, at Sea Lawn Memorial Park, in Hampstead NC. A memorial service will follow at noon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Foundation.
