Raija Helena Simmons
September 9, 1950 – August 22, 2024
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my beloved wife Raija Helena Simmons on August 22, 2024 at the Dryden Regional Health Center. She was taken peacefully in her sleep with her husband by her side after many months of illness.
She was predeceased by her parents Elsa and Jaakko Kosola as well as her brother Timo. She is survived by her husband Aaron, sisters Maria Harden and Ilona McEachern, with 15 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.
Born in Kokkola, Finland in 1950 she emigrated to Canada with her parents, sister and brother in 1957. Raised and educated in Atikokan she was a grade “A” student. She loved reading, crafts, cats, gardening and her new little sister “Nona”. We met on Valentines Day 1970 and married in June of 1971, and spent 4 summers as park rangers in Quetico Provincial Park. We then moved to Ignace in January of 1979 where we spent the rest of our lives together in the house I built for her on Davy Lake surrounded by gardens. She became a librarian and worked at the local library for years until her health would no longer permit. After years of struggles with arthritis, cancer, hip, knee and shoulder replacement, intestinal problems, the final blow was delivered last week by an unknown virus. Through it all she remained an inspiration to those who knew her, and a devout Christian. Today she rests without pain or sorrow in God’s loving embrace.
There will be no visitation as cremation as taken place.
A Funeral Service will take place at a later date.
Condolences may be posted at www.dcfh.ca
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lutheran World Relief, 400-185 Carlton Street, Winnipeg MB R3C 3J1.
Arrangements entrusted to the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3.
