August 27, 1930 – January 10, 2024
Sally R. De Simone, 93, former President of the Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs and former Vice Chairwoman of the Providence Board of Parks, died Wednesday, January 10, 2024 in her apartment at Bright View Commons in Wakefield.
Sally was born in Providence, the first daughter of Charles F. Reynolds, former Mayor of Pawtucket, and Sarah (Salisbury) Reynolds. For 58 years, Sally was married to Herbert F. De Simone, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Transportation and former Attorney General for the State of Rhode Island. Sally was a graduate of Saint Xavier Academy and Rhode Island College, where she was captain of the swim team.
She was a beloved kindergarten teacher at the Pidge Avenue School in Pawtucket and was a substitute middle and high school math teacher. She earned her master’s degree in mathematics education from RIC as well as advanced certificates in landscape architecture and in horticulture. She served as a judge for the National Council of Garden Clubs, judging flower and horticulture exhibits around the country. She was an active member of the Fruit Hill Junior Women’s Club, the Dirt Gardeners Garden Club, The Federation of Garden Clubs, The Handicraft Club, the Red Bridge Women’s Club, and The Red Cross. Sally was kind, generous, warm, smart, feisty, and always full of fun, laughter, optimism, and common sense.
Sally is survived by her children: Herb and his wife Margaret, Douglas and his wife Tori, and Deborah and her husband Mark Segalla; and her 7 grandchildren: Stephen and his wife Jenny, Laura and her husband Craig Burelle, Nina, Peter, and Thomas De Simone, and Mark and Katherine Segalla, as well as her 3 great-grandchildren: Olive and Tristan De Simone, and Dalton Douglas Burelle.
The De Simone family would like to thank the following people for how they cared for our mother: Dr. John Bendola, the administration & staff of Bright View Commons, the doctors and nurses of South County Hospital, and Michael Sweeney.
A private ceremony will be held at J. F. Skeffington’s Funeral Home and Cremations, 925 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI.
For online condolences kindly visit: Skeffingtonfuneralhome.com
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