May 13, 1933 - Jun 29, 2022

Patricia Simmons, a Claremont resident for 74 years, died June 29 at Mt. San Antonio Gardens in Claremont at the age of 89.

Born on May 13, 1933, in Orange, New Jersey, Patricia attended Claremont High School, in the Old School House location, and graduated with the class of 1951.

She grew up in Roseland, New Jersey, a semi-rural town about an hour from New York City and came to California with her family in 1948 when she was just 16 years old. The cross-country road trip included her parents, two brothers, her grandmother, an aunt and uncle, two nephews, a dog and a cat. It was quite a caravan!

She had a successful 50-year career with Curtis Real Estate from 1967 until her retirement in 2017. One special experience during her career was showing a house that was quite dark and overgrown and attempting to convince clients, unsuccessfully, how it could be brightened. She ended up purchasing that home for herself, transforming it, and residing there for 50 years.

She loved to garden, growing everything from sweet peas to tropical ferns and other exotic plants, which made for a peaceful, private backyard retreat. She was also an amazing cook, enjoyed knitting and sewing, and took pleasure in a nice glass of wine or champagne. An avid birdwatcher, she adored identifying birds in her yard and always had her trusty binoculars and bird book nearby.

“She was an enthusiastic player of all kinds of games, especially with her two grandsons, and was always a willing participant no matter what crazy thing she was asked to do,” her family shared. “She will be lovingly remembered as an amazing mother and grandmother, with a sparkling sense of humor and the purest sense of grace and kindness.”

She is survived by her daughter, Linda Mathes, and her husband Forest, of El Dorado Hills; daughter Lori Teague and her husband Bill, of Upland; grandson Ryan Teague and his wife Allison, of Upland; grandson Corey Teague and his wife Laura, of Van Buren, Arkansas; and her soon to arrive great-grandson, Clyde Teague, also of Van Buren, Arkansas.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Beverly Simmons (CHS 1972, in 2011; brothers Barton and David Adams; and her parents Ruth and Douglas Adams, all of Claremont.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to one of the organizations close to her heart: California Botanic Gardens at https://www.calbg.org/support/donate, or by check to 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA 91711; or Assistance League of Pomona Valley at https://eventregistration.alpv.org/donate-now/, or by check to 655 N. Palomares St., Pomona, CA 91767.

Memorial services will be private