Evelyn Friis Simonds

Evelyn M. (Soucier) Friis Simonds, 86, passed away Sept. 16 at Blackstone Valley Rehab after an illness.

She is survived by her husband of four years, Stephen Simonds; her four children, Chris Friis and wife Molly of Uxbridge, Charlie Friis and wife Michelle of Uxbridge, Mathew Friis and wife Laura of Douglas, and Deedee Durran and husband Sean of Uxbridge; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Myrna Fay Casey and husband Pete of Douglas, and Jeanine Tremblay and husband Bud of Nashua, New Hampshire; and several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Hadley Soucier and Mary Frances Legassie.

Born in Sheridan, Maine, on June 26, 1937, Mrs. Simonds was the daughter of Oliver and Wilda (Bragdon) Soucier. She raised her family in Hopkinton and also lived in Florida and back in Maine during retirement.

Evelyn worked 40 years as a registered nurse in the Cardiac Care Unit at Framingham Union Hospital, retiring in 2003. Previously she worked for “Ma Bell” in Framingham. She was a graduate of Ashland High School in Maine and went to nursing school at the Royal Victorian Magill in Montreal.

Always independent and adventuresome, Evelyn put herself through college. She built her own home on St. Froid Lake in Winterville, Maine, and even went to the Yukon Territory to gold prospect with her husband, Steve! She cherished time with her grandchildren and enjoyed fishing, especially ice fishing. She was a wonderful artist, creating many paintings over the years. She will be remembered as a lifelong caregiver, always putting her family before herself.

Her memorial funeral service will be held Saturday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m. in Valley Chapel, 14 Hunter Road, Uxbridge. A reception will follow in the church. Cremation burial will be later with her family in Maine. Memorial donations in Evelyn’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Services are under the care of Jackman Funeral Home.

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