Longtime Visalia resident Joan Falconer Simons died peacefully at home on June 26, 2007, surrounded by her family.
Joan was born on Long Island, New Y.ork on March 11, 1923. She graduated in 1943 from UCLA, where she was active in Alpha Phi Sorority. There she met her future husband, Visalia native Leonard F. Simons. The young couple was married on December 5, 1944. Joan joined the war effort, working in New York while her young lieutenant served in the Atlantic.
After the war, Joan and Leonard returned to Visalia to farm and raise a family. While her children were young, Joan lived the life of a Central Valley farm wife: raising kids and crops, helping other Taurusa-area families, supporting rural school activities and serving in 4-H leadership positions. As her family grew, Joan became a "sports mom," helping with Little League and driving children to swim meets.
Joan received her teaching credential from Fresno State University in 1964. Joan taught at Dinuba High School between 1965 and 1973. During that time, she coached the swim team and was involved in student exchange programs.
Joan enjoyed playing tennis. She played doubles in a foursome of friends every week for nearly 30 years. Joan was creative. She did beautiful needlework, quilting and craft projects. She took pleasure in sharing her creations as gifts to friends, family and the community. Joan traveled extensively with her family to both well-visited places like the American Southwest and the Panama Canal and to less-traveled spots such as Ayers Rock, Australia and Ephesus, Turkey. For their 50th wedding anniversary, Joan and Leonard took their children and grandchildren to Paris to celebrate.
Joan and Leonard moved to town in 2002. Joan continued activities as a member of First Presbyterian Church in Visalia and Tulare County Panhellenic. In 2005, Joan and Leonard moved to Sierra Village, where they shared retirement fellowship with longtime friends, water-aerobics participants, bridge-partners and Bible study members.
Son Raymond Simons preceded Joan in death. She is survived by husband Leonard; sister Diane Cunningham of Ventura; son James F. Simons and daughter Diane Ledford of Visalia; and grandchildren Geoff Ledford, Cicily Simons, Peter Ledford, and Olivia Simons.
Visalia Times-Delta, June 28, 2007
