Laura M. Simons

Laurie, 72, passed away quietly in her home on Sunday, Feb. 4 after a long illness while spending her final days surrounded by loving family.         

  Laurie was born in Albany and lived her earliest years in Altamont with her siblings, Janet, Jack, and (later) Vickie with their loving parents Jacob and Janet Simons. When their father’s employment required them to move, she spent her remaining childhood in Memphis, graduating from Bartlett High School. Following high school, she attended nursing school and worked various nursing positions for the majority of her career. She had 3 sons: Aaron, Jason, and Shawn and has stated on several occasions that they were her greatest achievement and sense of pride. While a single mother, no one worked harder at providing, and caring for, her children’s health and well-being. She worked terrible schedules making ends meet and was the very example of hard work that was successfully passed down to her boys. She found joy in her later years in Tennessee where she regained a friendship with her youngest son’s father, Michael until his passing.

 After tending to her mother in her final months in Albany, Laurie’s health had deteriorated to the point she couldn’t return home. She spent her last 4 years living with her oldest son, Aaron and his family in Melrose. She spent her final days surrounded by many loved ones. She will be sorely missed and your 3 boys are eternally grateful for what you’ve bestowed on us. We love you, Mom.

Laurie is survived by her sons, Aaron Brown, Jason Brown, and Shawn Fisher and by her siblings, Janet Craig, Jacob (and Carol) Simons, and Vickie Staup. She has 7 grandchildren +3 by marriage. She has 8 nieces and nephews, and 6 cousins, and many more family that I can’t do justice to.

She is predeceased by her father and mother, Jacob and Janet Simons, and by a nephew and 2 grandchildren that were all taken from us far too soon; Christian, Katie, and Luke. May they all smile down on us warmly.

 The funeral service will be held at Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont on Thurs. Feb. 15 at 11am immediately followed by her interment at Fairview Cemetery where she will be buried next to her loving parents.

Mom never had money but when she had a dollar she could spare, it would go to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to this wonderful cause.