Beverly (Simons) Fitzsimmons

Beverly Jean Fitzsimmons, 86, of Browndale, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on February 12, 2022 after a brief illness. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Joseph F. Fitzsimmons and their infant son David.

Beverly is survived by her sons, Joseph (Suzanne) of Waverly, PA, Patrick (Laurie), Friendsville, PA, Jeffrey, Waymart, PA., Daniel (Patricia), Browndale, PA. and daughter-in-law Kathe Fitzsimmons, Endicott NY. She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren that she loved very much.

Born in Utica NY, she met the love of her life, Joseph, in 1955 as they both worked for Utica Mutual Ins. Co. They were married 1 year later and in 1957 they welcomed the first of what would literally be a handful of bouncing baby boys. Over the next 15+ years Bev would become a devoted stay-at-home mom, handling all of the duties required to keep her family of very active boys well fed, and all manners of play and athletic clothing and gear ready for practices, games and activities that ranged from basketball, baseball, soccer, hunting, and fishing.

In the mid-70’s she re-entered the work force and her ensuing career covered many disciplines. Bev was equally as efficient with operating a sewing machine at one of the local garment facilities or military equipment suppliers to working in the cafeteria at the FCRHS and IBM Endicott NY. Bev was very proud of her boy’s following in their father’s footsteps by serving in the US Navy. And as a result of that service and the resulting stories, her vocabulary dramatically increased over the years.

In 1999 Bev traded in her official working sneakers and began what she would call the most rewarding years of her life, baby-sitting her grand-daughter Alexandra. The next decade was spent teaching Alex the proper (Bev) way to cook, clean, do laundry, shovel snow, mow grass, plant flowers and fold clothes. Being a fiercely independent woman, Bev was always one to do things herself. Whether it be her daily trips to town, mowing the grass, getting groceries, shoveling snow or simply heading down the line to shop, nothing was too big of an obstacle to get in her way.

She loved watching Sunday afternoon NASCAR races or just sitting at her kitchen counter and talking with family and friends. Her marathon phone calls were legendary and worthy of consideration for the Guinness Book World Records for their length. When visiting, it was virtually impossible to leave without some sort of container or meticulously wrapped bag containing some of her delicious cookies or pies. Delicacies that her boys would often try to hide for each other, only to be caught and then shamed into sharing. And yes, they were that good. Her boys would often say, you never have to worry about mom until she stopped doing things. Sadly, over the recent holidays, this became a reality. As we look back, we do so with huge smiles.

Bev’s life was not what many would describe as being easy, because it wasn’t. Instead, her life can be better described as “Full”. So full of life and so full of love. Full of life’s ups and downs. But she never looked back and instead, lived life to the fullest with her family at her side. She will be sadly missed, but never, ever forgotten. In keeping with Bev’s wishes, a private ceremony will be held to celebrate her life.

The Fitzsimmons family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the wonderful nurses and care-givers at Traditional Hospice for the help and support. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a hospice of your choice.

Arrangements by the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main St, Forest City.

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