Maria Josefa “Josey” Simmons, age 79, and wife to Wayne T. Simmons, passed away peacefully November 27, 2018, at her home in Mentor.
Josey was born February 15, 1939, in Málaga, Andalusia, Spain, daughter of Jose Rios Palaez and Anna Rios Cruz. Josey passed away just one months prior to her 50th Wedding Anniversary with Wayne.
Josey graduated private school in Malaga and attended a nearby university. After graduation, Josey tutored local children during their grammar school years. Around the age of 23, Josey applied for a nurse position in the United Kingdom Hospital System, and was accepted as Nurse-Auxiliary-in-training for a Practical Nursing position. She worked and studied there for four years before meeting Wayne (a graduate of Lakewood High School and raised in Sunfield, Mich.) in London, England. After a one year courtship, they married in December 1968.
Wayne was serving in the U.S. Air Force during this time. Upon Wayne’s completion of his service in the U.S. Air Force, Josey and Wayne settled in Holt, Mich., in the summer of 1969, and lived there for the next 12 years. After a couple more relocations in support of Wayne’s career, Josey and Wayne settled in Mentor in 1995, where they have since resided.
Josey supported her children during their school years by volunteering at their schools as a librarian and as a teacher’s assistant. She was active in all school activities especially in support of the school music programs. Josey was a devout catholic throughout her life, and made many life decisions with her faith as guidance. Josey enjoyed traveling, especially with her family. She turned her lifelong passion of sewing into designing, repairing, and making fashionable clothes for her entire family. Josey also had a special connection to animals by caring deeply for their wellbeing, enjoyed classical music, and live theater productions.
Josey is survived by her husband, Wayne T. Simmons; two sons, Wayne J. (Jenette) Simmons of Jacksonville, Fla., and Andrew W. (Cinthia) Simmons of Columbus; and two grandchildren, Wayne R. Simmons and Nikita M. Simmons, both of Jacksonville, Fla.
Josey was preceded in death by her parents; her only brother, Pedro Rios Rios; and her beloved dog, Snowball.
The family has entrusted McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio in Mentor, with the appropriate arrangements, and for the cremation of Maria Josefa Simmons.
A Celebration of Life service is planned from 12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, December 8, 2018, at Centennial Acres Country Club, in Sunfield, Mich.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Josey’s memory to The Sunfield Area SPYs.
Please visit a special page created for Josey to leave a condolence for the family or participate in the Memorial Tree Program at www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.

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