Violet H. Simmons

MILLERTON - Violet Hope Simmons, 90, a teacher for nearly half a century in the Webutuck school district, died at home in Millerton Saturday. She was born on March 2, 1911 on a farm in the Town of North East. Her father was Elmer W. Simmons, Millerton postmaster and president of the board of education, and her mother was Nellie V. Kennedy Simmons. Miss Simmons had been the last surviving member of a class of four that graduated in 1928 from Millerton High School. She then went to Albany Teachers College, now known as the State University of New York at Albany, where she received a B.A. degree in teaching in 1932. She received a Masters degree in Social Studies from SUNY-Albany in 1952 and did graduate work at New York University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, Syracuse University, Vassar College and the State University of New York at New Paltz. She returned to Millerton to begin her teaching career in 1933. During the first ten years of her teaching tenure she taught all subjects in the eighth grade. For the next 14 years, she taught high school social studies, biology and health. After the Millerton and Amenia school districts centralized into the Webutuck district in 1957, she taught only social studies until she retired in June 1981. For half of her teaching career, she was legally blind. Though a demanding teacher, Miss Simmons was revered by her students. She did not rely on standard high school textbooks but had students read primary documents, newspapers, novels, poetry, art history books and college-level histories. Guest speakers, including notables such as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, helped bring history alive to her students. In October 1981, former students and colleagues recognized her distinguished career in a testimonial dinner. Proceeds from that were used to create a scholarship given annually to a student graduating from Webutuck. Miss Simmons was a 50-year member of the Millerton Grange and served as a trustee of the Millerton-North East Library. She was a lifelong member of the Millerton Presbyterian Church, participating in its Womens Club, teaching in its Sunday School and singing in its choir. She was also a Senior Girl Scout leader. She is survived by one niece, Jean Simmons Arnold of Juno Beach, Fla.; two grandnieces, Lynn Arnold Miller and Gay Arnold Morris; and one grandnephew, David Lee Arnold. One brother, Cecil C. Simmons, predeceased her. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service at the Millerton Presbyterian Church will be announced. Her ashes are to be interred at the Irondale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Violet H. Simmons Scholarship Fund, Inc., PO Box Z, Millerton, NY 12546. Arrangements are under the direction of Valentine Funeral Home, Millerton.

Published: 3/4/01 in the Poughkeepsie Journal