Helen E. "Kay" Simms

PETERSHAM - Helen E. “Kay” (Easton) Simms, 79 of 23 Hardwick Rd., Petersham, died Wednesday, November 9, 2016 in the UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus, Worcester, MA. She was born in Jersey City, NJ, on July 2, 1937, the daughter of the late James and the late Robina (Lidston) Easton. She began her teaching career in her home town of North Bergan, NJ in 1958 after graduating from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA. She married her husband Edward in July of 1960 and they settled in Pittsburgh, PA where she taught Elementary Education until her twin daughters, Kathi and Lori were born. They left the Pittsburgh area and moved to Petersham in 1965. Helen began teaching Kindergarten in the Petersham Center School in 1966 where over the years she taught in every grade from Kindergarten through grade 6, as well as serving as Principal for three years. She retired in 2000, but continued teaching as a substitute at the school until 2015. She has for many years, gone in to the school each week to read to the 3rd and 4th graders. She was a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board in Athol for more than 40 years, a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional teacher’s organization for many years and recently finished a two year stint as State President of that group. She was also a member of the Athol Hospital Advisory Board for many years and a member of the Board of Registrars in the Town of Petersham for many years. Helen was very active in the Orthodox Congregational Church in Petersham until her death. She loved her family and her grandchildren and was always attentive to their needs all of her life. She loved traveling, particularly to Scotland to visit her nine cousins. She enjoyed knitting blankets for the Salvation Army to give to new-born babies, and reading, particularly historical novels. She always had a smile and a helping hand for those in need. She is survived by her husband of 56 years: Edward Simms of Petersham; twin daughters: Kathi Connor and her husband Todd of St. Johns, FL, Lori Chuckta and her husband David of Shelton, CT; grandchildren: Andrew and Natalie Chuckta of Shelton, CT. and her sister Marilyn and husband Kenneth Kincaid of Newark Delaware, sister in law Ilene McLean of Industry PA and Donna Pinoli of Sunnyvale CA as well as two nieces and four nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the Petersham Orthodox Congregational Church, 21 North Main St., Petersham. Burial will follow in West Road Cemetery. No calling hours are scheduled. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Helen’s name may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home 110 New Athol Road, Orange is directing arrangements.