Carthage - Regina M. Simmons, 72, of 11016 NYS Rt. # 26, died early Thursday morning, August 28, 2014, in the Skilled Nursing Unit of the Carthage Area Hospital where she has resided for 2 ½ years.

Regina was born in Watertown on February 19, 1942, the daughter of the late Ceylon E. and Ida E. Trombley Crane. She was a 1959 graduate of Augustinian Academy and a 1960 graduate of Pauldine's Beauty School. She became a nurse's aide after graduating from BOCES in 1972. She operated Jean's Beauty Shop from 1960-1985, worked as an aide at the Carthage Day Care Center from 1970-1972, was a nurse's aide at the House of the Good Samaritan from 1972-1975 and retired as a supervisor for AAFES on Fort Drum where she worked from 1980-1991. She married Richard Lyle Simmons on February 16, 1963 at St. James Church in Carthage.

Regina was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post # 789 of Carthage, Carthage Area Hospital Auxiliary, Carthage Christian Women's Club and a longtime volunteer for Augustinian Academy and the Jefferson County Women's Center.


She is survived by her husband, Richard L. of Carthage, two daughters and their husbands: Deborah and Jeffrey Kepler of Carthage and Kimberly and Chip Parker of Stone Mills, 3 Grandchildren and 2 Step Grandchildren, a sister: Patricia Ann Fitzmaurice of Minonk, IL; and 3 nephews and 3 nieces.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 30th at 11:00am at St. James Catholic Church with her nephew, the Rev. Daniel Wilder officiating. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery. Calling hours at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home will be on Friday from 4-7pm. Members of the American Legion Auxiliary will conduct a memorial service on Friday at 6:00pm at the funeral home.