Hedwig Mary Simonds

Mary “Hedwig”  (Szablinska) Simonds, a 8 year resident of Phoenix, AZ, and formerly of Dedham for 45 years, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, July 21st. She was born in Cambridge, MA, the daughter of the late Michael and Stafania (Wasileska) Szablinska. In 1938 Mary married  Harry J. Simonds. They were married for 52 years before his death in 1990. She worked as a waitress and hostess for over 33 years at Topsy/Fontaines Restaurant in West Roxbury, retiring in 1981. Mary was a 5 star mother, having all 5 of her sons in the military and a member of the Jacob Jones VFW Auxiliary Post 2017 in Dedham. She was an avid candlepin bowler who received many trophies. She loved to travel and her trips brought her to Las Vegas, San Francisco, Florida and beyond. Mary especially loved her Boston Red Sox!
She is survived by her children Richard W. and his wife Judy of Wrentham, Robert J. and his wife Claire of Dedham, Joseph A. and his wife Linda of Portsmouth, VA, Edward H. and his wife Hannelore of Mashpee, William F. and his wife Mary Ann of Mansfield, and Mary L. Simonds of Phoenix, AZ. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, and 34 great grandchildren, with 2 more expected. She was the sister of the late Victor and William Szablinski, the late Anthony and Joseph Novicki, the late Jean (Szablinska) Bourassa, the late Helen (Novicki) Laverdiere, and the late Stella (Sazblinska) Butler.  Visiting hours will be held Monday, July 27th from 5-8 PM at the Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton Street, Dedham.  Relatives and friends will gather at the funeral home Tuesday morning at 8 am and proceed to St. Mary’s Church, 420 High Street, Dedham for her Mass of Christian Burial at 9 o clock.  Interment will follow in Brookdale Cemetery in Dedham.   In lieu of flowers donations to the Jimmy Fund,  c/o the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, Boston, MA 02445 would be appreciated.