Mary (Simons) Guy passed away peacefully the evening of Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at the age of 83. Mass of Christian Burial is Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at 10:00 AM with visitation one hour prior at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Chaska. Father Fernando Ortega will preside, and pall bearers for Mary are Michael Collins, Greg Collins, Michael Peterson, William Smith, Nicholas Smith and Jeffrey Strack. Mary will be laid to rest at Guardian Angels Cemetery in Chaska.
It was a cold winter day when Bernard and Adelaide (Collins) Simons celebrated the birth of their beautiful baby girl, Mary Adelaide Simons. She was the youngest of three children and the only girl. Mary loved growing up in Chaska with her older brothers, John and Robert. As a child she developed wonderful friendships that followed her through life. There was a group of eight girls who were so close, they even developed their own language. They called themselves the Jagaspacs , and they were inseparable.
After graduating from Chaska High School, Mary attended the College of St. Catherine for two years. After pleading with her father, she transferred to the University of Minnesota where she graduated cum laud e with a bachelor’s degree in Music (piano) in 1954. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority. Mary always had natural musical talent, and she was able to turn that talent into a career. During college, Mary worked hard on her studies, but she also had a reputation for being a fun person to be around. When she completed her studies, Mary was hired as a special services director for the military. She worked in Aschaffenburg and Bamburg Germany where she was stationed for 27 months. She provided recreational and entertainment opportunities for the troops who were overseas. Mary’s parents were able to visit her in Germany, and they traveled all over Europe together. It was a wonderful experience that they treasured.
When Mary returned to the states, she was offered a position at the Presidio in San Francisco providing entertainment opportunities for service men and women at the base. While at the Presidio, Mary met Colonel Alfred “Gene” Guy. After dating for several years, Mary and Gene exchanged wedding vows on a beautiful spring day at Guardian Angels Church in Chaska. Mary’s cousin, Anne Ament, stood beside her as her Maid of Honor. Her niece, Bernadine Simons was her flower girl.
After they were married, Gene took wonderful care of Mary. She no longer worked outside the home, but occasionally taught private piano lessons in their home. Gene and Mary spent many happy years together. They lived in Sunland, California, but made trips back to Minnesota to visit family. They also loved it when family would visit them in California. Mary especially enjoyed it when her cousins Greg and Mike Collins would stop by for visits during their motorcycle road trips.
Mary had many hobbies and interests. She loved playing the piano, swimming and downhill skiing. Mary especially loved to travel to Las Vegas and Reno with her parents and brothers.
A few years ago Mary had a health crisis. With most of her family in Minnesota it became apparent that it was time for her to move back home. Mary’s goddaughter Maureen Smith coordinated this process, and Mary returned to Minnesota in February 2014. Although Maureen was instrumental with this move, Mary always got a second opinion from her cousin, Kelo, who was a trusted advisor. Mary enjoyed living at The Gardens at St. Gertrude’s (Assisted Living) in Shakopee. Although she wasn’t fond of our winters, Mary did manage to get to the casino at least once a month and indulge in a cocktail or 2 over lunch. She enjoyed her frequent shopping trips to the mall with her best friend Joan and really appreciated the support she got from her family and the staff at St. Gert’s.
Mary was a gentle and kind woman. She loved her family and had so many dear friends. She will always be remembered by her nieces and nephew, Colleen (John) Herzog, Maureen (Bill) Smith, Kathleen (Michael) Beery, Kevin (Jeff Faneslow) Simons, Christine (Randy) Nelson, Eileen (Loren Hackbarth) Bardos, Bernadine (Rodney) Riegel; sister-in-law, Joan Simons; best friend, Joan Rief; many cousins and dear friends. There to greet Mary in Heaven is her husband, Col. Alfred “Gene” Guy; parents, Dr. B.H. and Adelaide Simons; brothers, John Simons and Robert Simons.
