Marilyn Harris Simmons
OBITUARY
Marilyn Ella Harris Simmons of Winter Park, FL, passed away on March 5, 2026, at her home at Westminster Winter Park. She was born on August 31, 1931, in Montrose, CO. At age five, Marilyn moved with her family to Vero Beach, Florida. Marilyn graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in education including a minor in music. She was active in the campus Westminster Fellowship where she met her future husband, J. Thomas Simmons. They married in 1954 and celebrated 70 years of marriage before Tom’s death in 2025.
In 1968 Marilyn began her career as an early childhood educator at First Congregational Church of Winter Park Preschool, later becoming its Director. In 1979, Marilyn began teaching at the Methodist School for Early Education at First United Methodist Church of Winter Park. She became Director of MSEE, a position she held until her retirement in 1994.
Marilyn was a devoted Presbyterian and served as a ruling elder at Park Lake Presbyterian Church. Marilyn was an active member of Winter Park Presbyterian Church and enjoyed supporting the WPPC Preschool.
Marilyn is survived by her children Nancy (Dr. Bob) Ferguson, J. Thomas III (JoAnn) Simmons, and Dr. David (Rev. Linda) Simmons; grandchildren Hayley (Rev. Dave) Abney, Megan (Tommy) Ciserano, Patrick (Jacqueline) Ferguson, Jason (Sara) Bailey, Justin (Dr. Taylor) Simmons, Mary Ella Simmons, and Eric Simmons; great-grandchildren Houston and Hart Abney; Elizabeth, Dominic, and Andrew Ciserano; Alexandra and Easton Bailey; and Kate, Annie, Ella, and Jack Simmons.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 10:00 am at Park Lake Presbyterian Church, 309 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando.