Jean B. (née Baker) Simmons, age 99, on May 5, 2026, in Franklin Township, New Jersey. Beloved wife of the late William F. Simmons, to whom she was married in 1953 until his passing on November 30, 2001. Loving mother to William D. Simmons, Helen J. Mammi (Don), Janis A. Napoli (late Carl), the late Elaine E. Schreiter (Robert “Bob”), the late Steven T. Simmons (Mary Anne), and the late Robert C. Simmons. Caring grandmother to Mia Dorman, Michael Mammi (Shawnda), Carol Frank (David), Nicole Harbeck (Jess), Jamie R. Schreiter (Christine), Maggie J. Schreiter (William Henderson), Alex Fruggiero, Anne Napoli (Dan), Daniel Napoli (Gina), and the late Abigail Simmons. Proud great-grandmother to Nik, Jake, Cooper, Jack, Max, Jocelyn, Evangeline, Harrison, Darren, Alice, Giovanni, Emelia, and the late Bart.
Born on December 4, 1926, in Bridgeport, New Jersey, Jean was the daughter of the late Arthur Amos and Helen E. (née Turner) Baker. She was raised in Pitman, New Jersey, and attended Pitman High School, graduating with the Class of 1944. In 1953, she moved to Saint Augustine, Florida, where she married her husband William and began their life together. Over the years, Jean lived in Repaupo and later Franklinville, New Jersey, where she resided for 25 years. Following retirement, she and her husband spent nearly three decades in Frisco on Cape Hatteras Island, North Carolina. She later lived in Sewell, New Jersey, for five years before returning to Franklinville for the final months of her life.
Jean worked for a time at the Mobil Refinery in Paulsboro before becoming a Library Assistant at the Main Road School in Franklin Township, where she enjoyed being part of the school environment. Later, she devoted nearly 20 years to the Franklin Township Clerk’s Office, starting as a secretary and, through her dedication and reliability, becoming Assistant Clerk before retiring in 1985.
Throughout her life, Jean remained active and engaged in her communities. She was a member of the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club, volunteered at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Museum, and participated in a local quilt club. She was a longtime member of Little Grove Methodist Church in Frisco, North Carolina, and was also involved with the Gloucester County Republican Club for many years. Jean found joy in simple pleasures—she was an avid reader of mystery novels, a devoted solver of crossword puzzles, and loved playing board games and cards with family and friends. Along with her husband, Jean was a member of the Lucky Roamers Motorcycle Club in Millville.
Jean was especially known for her creativity and generosity. She was a skilled knitter and quilter, ensuring that every new baby in the family received a handmade blanket and that loved ones were gifted her carefully crafted quilts. Her handmade Christmas stockings became treasured family heirlooms.
Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the BARCLAY FUNERAL HOME, 208 Maple Street, Clayton, NJ 08312. Sharing by family and friends to celebrate her life will begin at 7:30 PM. Sign the guestbook and send condolences at BarclayFuneralHome.net.
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