Obituary of Karen E. Simons
Karen Elizabeth (Sturtevant) Simons, 79, of Rome beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great
grandmother and sister died peacefully, entering into eternal rest on Thursday, November 7,
2024. Karen was born on February 11,1945 in Rome, where she has been a life-time resident.
Karen graduated from St. Aloysius Academy in 1963. Karen married her childhood sweetheart,
Francis V. (Vic) Simons on July 24,1965 at St. Peter’s Church. Karen and Vic raised four
children together. Karen often said that her greatest source of gratitude and accomplishment in
life was her children, their spouses, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. Gifted with a
talent for crafts, Karen often made special holiday ornaments for her children, their spouses and
grandchildren throughout her lifetime and even for her children’s teachers while they were
growing up and attending Rome schools. Karen worked at several local businesses over the
years including the former Sears & Roebuck and Montgomery Wards in Rome, where she
served as manager of the credit department.
Karen is survived by her three sons, her daughter and their spouses, Kevin and Michele (Burch)
Simons of Rome, Jeffrey and Pamela (Muraco) Simons of North Greenbush, Kristin (Simons)
and Don Robinson of Sherrill and Michael and Elizabeth (Flynn) Simons of Fairport; her
grandchildren Kevin Simons, Jr. and wife Brenna (Ricci), Shea Simons, Aaron Simons,
Alexandra Simons, Kayla Simons, Aidan Robinson, Nolan Robinson, Bridgette Robinson,
Rebecca Simons, Amelia Simons and her great grandchildren, Theo Joseph (TJ) Simons and
Reed Simons. Karen is also survived by her beloved sisters Mary (Tom) Shantz, Elizabeth
(Steve) Leighton, and Barbara Pallas, her sister in law, Linda Sturtevant, as well as several
nieces and nephews. Karen was predeceased by her husband Vic, her parents Carl and Eileen
(Dunn) Sturtevant, her grandson, Patrick Donald Robinson, her sister Diane (Sturtevant) Peters
and her brothers Carl Sturtevant, Jr., Dennis Sturtevant; her father in law, Robert J. Simons,
mother in law, Margaret M. (Romano) Simons, brother in laws Robert J. Simons, Jr, Joseph J.
Simons and sister in laws, Carol (Ankrom) Simons and Mary (Malakie) Simons.
Karen’s children and family members wish to express their deepest and sincerest gratitude to
the nursing professionals, staff and caregivers at Rome Health's Residential Health Care Facility
for their loving and attentive care for their mom during the last several months of her life.
A private burial service is planned for the immediate family to be followed by a memorial mass
for all family members at St. Peter’s Church at a later time.
Karen had a loving heart for sick children. In her memory, those wishing to contribute, are
requested to make donations to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital
