Marian R. Simons

Marian Rose Jones Simons, music educator, was born on June 17th, 1918 in Cambria, Wisconsin. Her parents, William Jones (Isle of Anglesey, North Wales) and Alice Sharpe Jones (Birkenhead, England), moved to the Fond du Lac area in the mid-1920s and were active members of the community for the remainder of their lives.Marian graduated from L.P. Goodrich High School in 1936 and from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1940. Upon graduation, Marian began her teaching career in Mineral Point and Platteville, Wisconsin. There she met Ralph Edward Simons, and they were married in 1942. After Ralph's death, Marian moved back to Fond du Lac with her two children, Catherine and William, and returned to teaching. In 1960, Marian was appointed Director of Music for the Fond du Lac Public Schools and remained in that position until her retirement in 1984. In addition to teaching, Marian brought music to the community through many musical organizations including the Elk's Club Male Chorus, St. Paul's Cathedral Choir, Salem Evangelical United Methodist Church Choir, Church of Peace UCC, and the Welsh Gymanfa Ganu.Upon her retirement, Marian continued to play an integral part in the music of the community, including the Fond du Lac Women's Chorus, Fond du Lac Very Special Arts Wisconsin Choir, Fond du Lac Happy Seniors' Chorus, and the Lakeview Estates Hymn Sing. Marian also served on the boards of the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band, the Fond du Lac Concert Association, and the Fond du Lac County Committee on Aging; she also volunteered at the Galloway House and Agnesian Health Care. Her many community memberships included the Fond du Lac Education Association, Retired Music Educators' Association, Saturday Lecture Club and Round Table, and White Shrine and Eastern Star.Among Marian's many awards were: Wisconsin State Distinguished Administrator Award (WMEA), Sydney R. Mertz Award for Special Contributions to the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band, Outstanding Senior Citizen of Fond du Lac County (AARP), and Community Service Award (Fond du Lac Chapter DAR). In addition to her contributions to the community, Marian was a devoted and loving grandmother to her six grandchildren.



After a private service with Reverend Martin Koehler and her family, Marian was buried next to Ralph and her parents in Rienzi Cemetery. A celebration of her life will be held in Fond du Lac on June 17th, 2006. Letters of condolence to the family may be sent to: Ms. Jane E. Shirek, 297 Candy Lane, Fond du Lac, WI 54935. Memorials in Marian's honor may be directed to: Marian R. Simons Scholarship Fund, c/o Fond du Lac Area Foundation, 384 North Main Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935. Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is serving the family. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com