Palestine High School Alumni Association

09 / 28 / 1912  –  09 / 07 / 2005

Freddie Susan Simonds, 92, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 at Covenant Hospital in Saginaw.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 19, 2005 at The Mt. Pleasant Community Church with Dr. Scott McKee and the Rev. Ralph Fisher officiating. Interment will follow in the Riverside Cemetery.

Freddie was born September 28, 1912, in Palestine to Andrew and Eugenia (Crocker) Link. She married Lloyd Simonds Dec. 24, 1942 in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. A graduate of Texas Women’s University, Freddie taught home economics for several years in Clifton, Texas. During four summers while teaching there she was enrolled at Colorado State University where she earned a Master of Science degree. Subsequently, during the Depression era, she directed a pilot project in home economics for the National Youth Administration. Then she began her teaching career at Central Michigan University. She was professor in the School of Home Economics for 42 years. Academic awards she received were from “Seventeen Magazine” for outstanding achievement as an educator, from Home Economics Education of Michigan for leadership, and from Michigan Occupation Educators for significant contribution to vocational/technical education.

In addition to teaching, Freddie loved her home and enjoyed sewing, knitting and gardening. She had been active in her church for many years, teaching bible studies and helping with building plans. She was a volunteer at the Mt. Pleasant Thrift Shop. She had a keen interest in world cultures and international relations. Especially after her retirement she traveled in many European countries, Malaysia and Japan.

Always keeping close ties with her Texas family, Freddie had planned many family reunions and made yearly visits to her relatives, often attending weddings and other family gatherings. The Link family history, “Reflections,” which she authored, is treasured by the many nieces and nephews who survive her.

Freddie’s husband died in 1967. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Laura Allison, Florence Campbell and Savannah Ferguson; and her brothers, Henry, Nelson, Anthum and Otha.

Family members will receive visitors at Clark Funeral Chapel from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and from 10 a.m. until service time Monday. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Mt. Pleasant Community Church, Hospice of Central Michigan, Freddie Link Simonds Scholarship at Central Michigan University or the Link Family Cemetery Permanent Fund in Palestine. Envelopes will be available at Clark Funeral Chapel.

Condolences may be sent to Freddie’s family at www.clarkfuneralchapel.com or by mail c/o Clark Funeral Chapel, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, 48858.

Source: Palestine Herald-Press 09-14-2005