Theresa Simonds

Theresa M. Simonds, 90, of Rensselaer formerly of Lansingburgh, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2015 surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Cheriton, Virginia she was the daughter of the late Ernest Wood and Theresa Etz Wood, she was the wife to the late Phillip Morrissey and the late William Simonds.

Mom/Gramma/Grammie, spent her life trying to make things easy for her family, and that included writing her own obituary to make sure that her loved ones didn't need to deal with the stress. However, there are other things that can be said.

She lived her life as many of her generation have. Whatever she had was enough. There were no frills and no desire to accumulate items that weren't of necessity. From her modest upbringing on the eastern shore of Virginia she would share memories from such a simpler era. A link to the past that fewer and fewer of us can relate to.

We will miss her dearly, and we'll cherish her sense of humor and our memories of her. But now, we give her the last word, and we offer what she had written, it's short and sweet, just like she was...

She belonged to the Spindle City Divas (Red Hats) and the Lansingburgh Seniors, her volunteer work included the Cohoes Community Center Thursday Bingo.

Theresa retired from the Troy School District after 20 years.

She is survived by her son Terry (Nancy) Simonds of Brunswick, her grandchildren Philip (Cindy) Morrissey of Brunswick, Leighann (Dean) Biancaniello of Rensselaer, Greg Simonds of Boston, Jeff (Lisa) Simonds of Castleton, Emily Simonds of Colonie, her great grandchildren Philip Morrissey, Jr, Victoria Morrissey, Dean Biancaniello, Jr, Abigail Biancaniello, also survived by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husbands, she was predeceased by her son George Morrissey, her sister Josephine Daum Blanchet, her brothers Ernest, Vincent, Lawrence, Odell, Maurice and Jody Wood.

A memorial service will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at McLoughlin & Mason Funeral Home, corner of 109th Street and Third Avenue, Lansingburgh. Theresa will be laid to rest next to her husband at Saratoga National Cemetery

Thank you Leighann, Dean, Deano, and Abby for all your help and kindness over the last 3 years.

...Words can't express our families' gratitude for the incredible loving support provided by Chris and Bill of the Community Hospice, and the outstanding loving care provided by the entire staff on the 6th Floor at Samaritan Hospital. Theresa became affectionately known as the 'bacon lady' while in the hospital, a title she enjoyed earning. Her caregivers became her friends and our heroes, and we're so grateful!

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Theresa may be made to Community Hospice 295 Valley View Blvd, Rensselaer, NY 12144

Please visit Theresa's everlasting book of memories at www.mcloughlinmason.com.