JACQUELINE SIMMONS
1946 – 2022

Jacqueline (Jakkie) Ann Simmons (née Leopard) passed away on Sept. 18, 2022, with family at her side, after a courageous four-year battle with metastatic breast cancer.
She is survived by her husband Robert (Bob), daughter Heather Simmons-Ferguson of Manotick, son Peter (Heather Castellan) of Aurora, and by her grandchildren Christopher and Nicholas Ferguson, and David and Edward Simmons.
She is also survived by her sister Pauline Houston of Flintshire, Wales, niece Claire (Thomas) Houston-Harley and nephew Andrew Houston, both of Chester, England.
Predeceased by her father G.H.F. “Harry” Leopard, mother Hilda Weigh and her son-in-law Peter Ferguson.
Jakkie was born in Mancot, Flintshire, North Wales in 1946. She obtained a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wales and a teaching certificate from the University of London. She emigrated to Canada in December 1970 and settled in Kincardine, with her husband and daughter, in the blustery winter of 1971. Soon after she began her lifelong efforts to educate the youth of the community. She started by soliciting the people of Kincardine in an effort to set up a playschool in town, which would have had government subsidy. However, undaunted with the council’s rejection, she was instrumental in setting up (with the aid of the Anglican, United and Presbyterian churches) a co-operated playschool. She then set up a private daycare/playschool with her friend and neighbour Marion Nisbett.
When her children were in school, she went to University of Western Ontario to obtain her primary school qualifications, then taught at St. Anthony’s school for many years, before retiring in 2006. She mainly taught kindergarten and special education and was a literacy expert for the Roman Catholic school board for a number of years.
Jakkie was an avid reader and an expert in British and west European history. She enjoyed travelling and was known to quietly correct or supplement a tour guide’s oration. She also enjoyed being with family and having coffee with her friends. Gardening was one of her passions. She was also an active member of the Church of Messiah.
The family would like to thank all the health care workers for the kindness and fine service provided by the Kincardine, Walkerton and Owen Sound hospitals, the Care Partner nurses and McKechnie Pharmacy. A special thank you to Dr. Jason Murray and Dr. Ismail Aboo, the Oncology Unit at Owen Sound and the caring and compassionate staff at Huron Shores Hospice at Tiverton Park Manor. Despite COVID, all of these people worked tirelessly to give her excellent medical support.
As per her request, she has been cremated. A celebration of her life for family and friends will be held at the Kincardine Legion from 2-5 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2022.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Operation Smile, Operation Eyesight, Huron Shores Hospice, Canadian Cancer Society, the Church of the Messiah or a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Grey Bruce Cremation and Burial Services; www.greybrucecremation.com.