Dolores Simmons

CUYAHOGA FALLS - Dolores "Dolly" Simmons, a lifelong resident of the Akron area and former ballet teacher, died peacefully at Rockynol, Saturday, October 11, 2008, surrounded by her loving family. She was 94.

The youngest of nine children, she was born to Lottie and Lawrence Halter on Nov. 23, 1913, and attended Our Lady of the Elms School for elementary and high school. She was president of her 1931 graduating class and went on to attend Akron University. She later taught girls' physical education at St. Vincent High School. Her lifelong passion was ballet and she founded the Dolores Halter Dance Studio in Akron, and studied in New York City under the famed dance choreographer, George Balanchine. For years, she assisted her dear friend, Nan Klinger, in organizing performances of the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet. Dolly was a lifetime member of the Dance Masters of America and was part of the "Sunshine Girls," a group that traveled to Sarasota Springs, New York, each summer to watch rehearsals of the New York City Ballet.

As a deeply religious woman and devout Catholic, she prayed the rosary daily and read devotions from her many Holy Cards. She was a charter member and past president of the St. Thomas Hospital Women's Board and a member of the Falls Family Service League. She was a charter member of the Silver Lake Country Club.

Her life was also distinguished by two long and loving marriages. First to George K. Maischaider, who died in 1968, and then to Robert O. Simmons, who died in 1999.
She was preceded in death by her son, James, and daughter, Martha.
For the last eight years of her life, Dolly was under the skillful and tender care of the staff at Rockynol Retirement Community.

She is survived by her children: Ann McClure (Rick) of Akron, Mary Maischaider of Akron, Paul Maischaider (Jennifer) of Cuyahoga Falls, Rita Proffitt (Chuck Schultz) of Santa Barbara, CA, and Susan Gentry (Gregory) of Seabrook, TX. She is also survived by her step-children Pamela Hoynes of Cuyahoga Falls, Bridget Babb (Tom) of Silver Lake, Rebecca O'Conner (Jay) of Memphis, TN, Robert Simmons (Carol) of Silver Lake, and Charles Simmons (Pixie) of Eagan, MN. Grandchildren include Pat Fleming, Tom Fleming (Kim), Doug Fleming (Andrea), Matt Fleming (Nora), Loralee Gentry, Becky Lyn Delnoce, Brian Delnoce, Meghin Hoynes, Mary Catherine Hester, Tom Babb (Teresa), Ann Marie Becks (Dan), Peter O'Conner, Greg O'Conner, Katye Iomli (Rich), Angie Simmons, R.O. Simmons, John Heikkinen, Bridget Simmons, Lacey Simmons, and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 5 to 8 PM at Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St. Cuyahoga Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 AM Wednesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1905 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet P.O.Box 3131, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223; or Rockynol, 1150 West Market St. Akron, OH 44303.