Mary Ann Simmons

Mary Ann Guild Simmons, age 87, passed peacefully at her home of 30 years in Frederick, Md on June 15 th , 2025. Born near Springfield, MA in 1938 by birth parents Frank and Blanche Crum, her mother died when she was 18 months old and she was placed in the Foster care system as her father could no longer care for her. Adopted at age 6 by Reuben and Anna Guild of Newton, MA. she grew up in and graduated from the Newton school system and then went on to graduate from Hood College where she met her husband William A Simmons, a graduate of Gettysburg College and working in the family printing business, M & B Printing in Frederick. They were married in 1959 at Hood College Chapel, settled in Frederick, MD and had two children.

Mary Ann taught briefly in the Frederick County School System then stayed at home to raise their children. At age 40 she become a realtor with Fredericktown Realty, but her true passion was volunteering, music and gardening. She was a founding member of the Frederick Arts Council in 1963, an active volunteer in the Frederick community and joined Tasker’s Chance Garden Club in 1970 for which she held several offices and was horticultural chair for 24 years. She also spent many years serving on the District Board of Federated Garden Clubs of MD, as well as 2 decades serving on the Board of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in Frederick. Another favorite project of hers was the 2 years spent volunteering on Frederick Operation Town Action. This endeavor was initiated by Ron Young in his first term as Mayor as the city was being rejuvenated for the bicentennial. She and her group planted and raised money for many pocket gardens and planted dozens of trees in the city. She was referred to by the Parks and Rec crew as the “Flower Lady”.

For 30 years, she sang in Choirs and was an avid concertgoer and supporter of classical music offerings in Frederick and Washington DC. She was also active member in Torch Club, Art Club, St Mary’s Episcopal Church in Frederick for many years.

She and her husband Bill loved to travel internationally and especially enjoyed seeing the National Parks all over the US. At age 77, she traveled solo around the world for 4 months on the Queen Mary 2, thus fulfilling a high school dream.

She is survived by her daughter Lisa S. Ausherman of Annapolis, MD, son Allan F Simmons and wife Melissa C Simmons of Frederick, MD and 3 grand children; Nicholas A Branic of Vienna, VA, Alexa D Branic of Schenectady, NY and Alexander F Simmons of Frederick, MD.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 29 th , 2025 at (ERUCC) Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ located at 15 W. Church St, Frederick, MD for family and friends. A classical organ prelude will begin at 3pm performed by organist Wayne Wold with services starting at 3:30 pm. A Postlude performance and private reception will be held following the service for her guests in the Fellowship Hall of the church.

Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made in her honor to any of the following:

Taskers Chance Garden Club, http://www.taskerschancegc.org/
The Frederick Art Club, https://www.frederickartclub.com/
Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ, https://erucc.org/
The National Cathedral, https://cathedral.org/