Myra L. Simmons,

Lifelong Cathlamet resident, Myra L. “MyLou” Simmons, 79, passed away July 16, 2010 at Woodland Convalescent Center. She was born July 30, 1930 in the Elochoman Valley at Crown Willamette Paper Company Camp, which was later known as Crown Zellerbach Family Camp to Edward O. and Orva E. (Clark) Olsen. She graduated from Wahkiakum High School in 1948. On August 19, 1948 she married Richard M. “Dick” Johnson; he preceded her in death in 1982. Together they had two children, Teresa and Michael who survive her.

On March 12, 1985 she married Kenneth M. Simmons; he preceded her in death in 2008.

MyLou was a member of Lower Columbia and Grays Harbor Genealogy Society. She worked as a telephone operator in Cathlamet for many years and for the U.S. Postal Service as a Postal Clerk for 25 years before retiring.

She loved her family, genealogy and she enjoyed playing and listening to music.

In addition to her children, Teresa and Ray Slape of Longview, and Mike and Caroline Johnson of Battle Ground, she is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Ed and Mary Olsen of Longview; and her loving grandchildren Wendy and Darin Fleckenstein, Wayne and Jessica Wright, Dustin and Renee Johnson, and Rick Johnson. She was also blessed with great-grandchildren Samantha, Mariah, Julia, Lacey and baby Madison and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Mark Wright in 1995.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m, today (Thursday) at Dowling Chapel with a gathering for friends and family at MyLou’s home on Puget Island to follow. Private committal will take place at Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in MyLou Simmons name to Community Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632.

Dowling Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.