Roberta F. (Look) Simmons, 93, of Hopedale passed away on April 3, 2014 in the Milford Regional Medical Center after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Earl C. Simmons Jr. who died in 1996. Mrs. Simmons was born Feb. 28, 1921 in Jonesboro, ME the daughter of the late Roswell and Florence (Whitney) Look. She attended Hopedale schools and was a lifelong resident of Hopedale. She was a member of the Womens Club of Hopedale and a longtime member of the Union Evangelical Church. Roberta was an avid bird watcher and former longtime member of the Hopedale Country Club. Roberta is survived by her brother, Robert Look and his wife Dorothy of Erieville, NY, her sister-in-law, Theresa Look of Alexandria, VA and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son Army Green Beret Lt. Dale Simmons who died in 1969, her brothers, Richard Look and Merle Look and her sister, Edith (Look) Francis. Roberta's family would like to thank the staff and caregivers of the Maples Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Wrentham for the skill and kindness they showed her during her time there. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 7, 2014 at 10 AM in the BUMA-SARGEANT FUNERAL HOME, 42 Congress St., Milford. Burial will follow in the South Hopedale Cemetery, Plain St., Hopedale. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Union Evangelical Church, 25 Dutcher St. Hopedale, MA. . |
Memories of Roberta Simmons
I used to swim in Spindleville Pond. I'd use Uncle Ray's [Westcott] boat there, too. I can also remember skating on the pond. We used to build a fire on the ice and roast hot dogs. I'd make fudge and bring it skating with me. We'd walk uptown barefoot to go swimming in Hopedale Pond. We'd break tar bubbles with our bare feet. How hot the water inside was! My aunt, Blanche Whitney, (my mother's sister) once taught at the South Hopedale School. [next to the South Hopedale Cemetery] She lived on Oak Street. She'd have to walk all the way to school, and when she got there, if the weather was cold, she'd have to build a fire. When the kids arrived, she's send one out to the well for a pail of water. Aunt Blanche never married, and eventually moved to Maine. I recall where yellow lady slippers grew up in the area of Frog Pond. Hazel Caulfield would bring them to school. Where Laurelwood is, there used to be a gristmill. Uncle Walter Durgin was a policeman. He was also lifeguard and tree warden. My dad helped to build the Community House. It opened in 1923. There was supposed to be a swimming pool there. It would have been where the flagpole is. (Helen Draper Taft Ayer left money in her will for a swimming pool at the Community House, or for other purposes as decided by the CH board. Perhaps they thought that since there was a pond with a beach in town, there was no need for a pool. Just my guess. DM. Helen was the daughter of George Albert Draper, the donor of the Community House.) I used to go have lunch with my dad at the Community House. I did this from when I was in kindergarten through grade eight. Memories Menu South Hopedale Menu Spindleville HOME . |