Brenda Lee Simmons

Brenda Simmons Live Stream Link

BRENDA LEE SIMMONS

Known as Nanny, Aunt B, Brenny, Brenda and Brenda Lee passed on April 30^th 2021 at home. She has been with us here on this earth as it has circled the sun only 59 times. Way too few.

Brenda was the firstborn child to Edward and Margaret Simmons on July 20^th 1961. Her father Ed died when Brenda was only 6 years old and even as a little girl, she became very motherly to her younger brothers and sisters. A quality she kept all her life. As adults her sisters would send her cards on Mother's Day.

Brenda had a great love of all children even though she made the tough decision for health reasons not to have any children of her own.

She took no shit and couldn’t possibly hide her distain if you pissed her off. She excelled at facial expressions that were more powerful than the spoken word, and I don’t believe I ever saw an eyebrow raise that high on anybody else. She had a knack for telling it like it is, a gift really.

She just loved living life and it was contagious. If someone wanted a party, vacation, trip, anything, Brenda would go into Brenda mode. She would jump right in and take charge, get things rolling and making plans. Everyone around her would get swept up in her zeal for whatever project she was applying herself to. Everything she did, she did for others. She was generous to a fault.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention her shopping prowess. She was a champion coupon clipper, could always find the best deal and an admirer of all forms of jewelry. If they offered a degree in shopping, Brenda would be the teacher. My comments on her shopping were met with, in order, …"Bite Me” and “Get off your wallet!”  Which was easy enough as most everything she shopped for was for others. She was a great gift giver.

I’m thankful to the universe that we had Brenda. She was our matriarch and the backbone of the family. Her entire life was a celebration. Brenda was whimsical, witty, spontaneous and absolutely loved having a good time and making people happy. Her smile could light up a room, and her laugh, particularly when she snorted, would have you in stiches. She drove like a maniac (in my opinion) and of our 21 years together after year one I don’t believe I ever rode as a passenger again.

She was a fabulous cook, as my waistline will attest and her Shrimp Scampi or Tortellini Soup were a must at all gatherings. Oh, and I can’t forget the Potato and Macaroni salads as well as her famous Taco Dip.

There were no pretenses with Brenda. She didn’t consciously need to work at relationships. They came naturally to her. She was a magnet. She could meet someone new today and be planning to vacation with them tomorrow. Another gift. Of course, I haven’t known her all her life, but I’ve been on the listening end of a lot of the stories.

Brenda was fiercely dedicated to her family and friends and was loved by everyone. She instilled unconditional love in every life she touched. Everyone that knew Brenda knew that she was a special soul. She had an immense passion for life and was always a positive source in whatever she did. There will be a hole left by her absence that is impossible to fill.

Brenda kept a positive attitude all through her health challenges, and was always more concerned about her Grandchildren and me than for herself. To say that she doted on her Grandchildren would be an understatement. They were her world and she was theirs. An unimaginable influence on their lives. I see many of her personality traits in them.  I have to say she was the strongest person I have ever known. A true inspiration. I shall miss her and honor her every day that I take a breath. Right up to the time we can be together again.

Brenda was preceded by her parents Ed and Marge Simmons and her brother James Simmons.

Brenda will be incredibly missed by all who knew her, starting with, the love of her life and Life Partner John Kleckner; Stepdaughter Nicole Sell; Her bonus children; Wendy Kleckner, John Kleckner (Eva), Nathan Kleckner (Heather), Adam Haviland (Kelly).

And truly her greatest treasures were those who called her Nanny; Alayna Kleckner, Dalton Kleckner, Mason Kleckner, Sadie Kleckner, and Ethan Haviland.

Brother; Ed Simmons (Michelle)

Sisters; Dawn Renninger, Lori Snyder (Dave), Denise Masarjian, Becky Meyer (Ed), Meri Brennan, Julie Brennan, and Amy Nowicki (Moe)

Sister-in-law; Brenda Simmons-Carey

Step Father and Step Mother; Bill and Debi Vietri (SMFH)

Brenda is also sadly missed by a countless number of nieces, nephews and friends, who cannot be named for fear of missing someone.

I will end by the way she always said goodnight. “LOVE YOU MORE”

Family and friends are invited to gather Wednesday, May 12, 2021 from 9 - 11 am at the Galzerano Funeral Home, 3500 Bristol – Oxford Valley Road, Levittown, PA 19057.  Words of Remembrance will begin at 11 am.  Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. 

Keeping with CDC guidelines, social distancing and masks are mandated indoors and outdoors.