Margaret Rapp Simmons

Obituary for Margaret Wilson Rapp Simmons

June 19, 1918 — April 20, 2016

Margaret, the eldest child of her parents John Rapp and Christine Lebline Rapp, was born in the afternoon of Wednesday, June 19, 1918.  She was named Margaret Wilson after her great-grandmother.  The original Margaret was known in the family for her strong convictions and will; Margaret followed well in her footsteps through almost 98 years of life and died peacefully on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in Seattle, WA.

Margaret’s parents divorced in 1928 and thereafter many of the child rearing responsibilities for her three siblings fell to her while her mother operated their 500-acre diversified farm in Rockford, Indiana.  An exemplary student, Margaret advanced directly from second to fourth grade.  During high school she fancied herself becoming a playwright and even had one of her plays produced by the school’s drama program.   Graduating from Seymour High School in 1935, she completed a two-year teacher certification program at Indiana University in Bloomington.   While at IU she met her husband-to-be Robert (Bob) L. Simmons at a college basketball game.  After obtaining her teacher certification, she taught at a school near her childhood home while Bob completed his accounting degree.  They married in 1941 and established their home in Terre Haute, Indiana.  They resided in that community for twenty-three years during which time Margaret bore two sons—Steve Robert (1946) and Philip Jon (1950).

Things changed for the Simmons family in 1964 as Bob accepted a job transfer to New York State.   He was subsequently transferred again to New York City and the family established its home in Wyckoff, New Jersey in 1970 where she became known to her friends and associates as Maggie.  She lived in Wyckoff for 45 years before joining her granddaughters in Washington State in 2015.  Her final year was spent at The Kenney Residence in West Seattle.

Maggie earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Indiana State University in Terre Haute.  She taught for many years in schools in Indiana, as well as at Coolidge School in Wyckoff where she received its Outstanding Teacher award.  She remained connected with a number of former students and colleagues through the remainder of her life.  Maggie was preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband, her son Philip (of Albuquerque, NM), as well as her brother John Rapp, sister Julia Hobson and sister Ingleby Mitchell.

She is survived by her son Steve (St. Paul, MN) and by granddaughters Jill Erin Simmons (Seattle), Lara Ruth Simmons (Wellington, NZ) and Dawn Christine Simmons (Seattle).  Maggie has two great-grandchildren, Samuel Elliot Simmons dePlace and Linnea Margaret Simmons Jaastad (both of Seattle).

Maggie had many admirable qualities, although her family will especially remember her spunk, her curiosity and her devotion to those whom she loved.  She will continue to live in our hearts.  In lieu of flowers, a monetary gift may be offered in Maggie's memory to a cause or charity of the giver's own choosing.

Please share memories of Margaret on our online guestbook at www.emmickfunerals.com

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Emmick Family Funeral & Cremation Services - West Seattle