Kathy Simmons - Obituary

athryn Jean “Kathy” Simmons (née Bye), 70, Devoted Mother, Joyful Grandmother, and Beloved Community Builder Kathryn Jean “Kathy” Simmons, whose warmth, humor, and unwavering devotion shaped the lives of her family, friends, and an entire school community, died peacefully at her home in Annapolis, Maryland, on November 23, 2025. She was 70. Born on January 9, 1955, in New Albany, Indiana, to Gilson Wayne Bye and Lois Stanley Bye, Kathy grew up moving often, though Indiana always felt like home. She maintained lifelong bonds with her siblings, Joe Bye and Sandy Krull, and with her nine nieces: Tricia, Susie, Lisa, Linda, Lori, Leah, Anne, Kate, and Alex - each of whom she adored. Kathy’s greatest joy, deepest purpose, and most profound legacy was her family. In 1978 she married the love of her life and college sweetheart, William “Will” Simmons. Though Will predeceased her in 2010, their loving relationship remained a central cornerstone to her and her children’s lives. To her children, Tom and Jenny, Kathy was not simply a devoted mother; she was their anchor, their confidante, and their closest friend. Their relationship was defined by extraordinary closeness, the kind of bond that only deepens and strengthens over a lifetime. They spoke every single day, often for hours, sharing the details of their lives, laughing together, seeking her counsel, or simply keeping each other company across the miles. Her children knew that whatever life brought, their mother’s voice; warm, steady, wise, and often punctuated with perfect humor, was always waiting for them. Family life in the Simmons home was vibrant, affectionate, and grounded in shared adventure. Kathy and Will believed in making memories, in showing their children the world, and in building a life that prioritized togetherness above all else. Summers were often spent sailing, sometimes on the Chesapeake Bay, and other times in the British Virgin Islands, snorkeling through beautiful reefs; Kathy napping on the deck of the boat or mixing up drinks below deck as Will sailed, and laughing late into warm island nights. Kathy remained the constant presence in her children’s lives, showing up for every moment, large or small, with unwavering love. Her devotion extended to her grandchildren, Hadley and Wills, whose dance recitals, hockey games, school concerts, and Grandparents Days she attended with boundless enthusiasm. She was never just in the audience; she was the one cheering the loudest, smiling the widest, and savoring every second. Kathy’s sister Sandy remained one of her closest companions her entire life, their bond marked by frequent phone calls and the unmistakable sound of their shared, exuberant cackling. Kathy formed deep, enduring friendships at every stage of her life. She traveled with friends who shared her sense of fun, sipping Almond Joy cocktails in hot tubs and hunting for sea glass and treasures at local arts fairs. A love of animals and wildlife was another thread in her life, from trips out West with Will to see bison, moose and prairie dogs, to penguins in New Zealand, and the fish of the Caribbean. Throughout her life she loved and cared for numerous pets, most recently her cherished King Charles Cavaliers, Lucy and Bertie, and was often found snuggling with them on her couch. But perhaps the truest measure of Kathy’s life was in how she made people feel. She was the person you called in moments of joy, and the person you needed in moments of crisis. She made people feel seen, understood, and fully accepted. She listened without judgment. She encouraged others to build the lives they wanted and was fiercely supportive through every step. Her humor; sharp, unexpected, and perfectly timed, lifted heavy days and softened difficult moments. Beyond her friends and family, Kathy’s most lasting impact was on the Indian Creek School community, where her presence spanned nearly four decades. When her children enrolled in 1988, she immediately became a cornerstone of the school’s parent, volunteer, and board leadership; bringing her signature blend of competence, warmth, and razor-sharp intelligence. She served as PTO Secretary and President before joining the Board of Trustees for nine years, eventually chairing the Development Committee and leading Indian Creek’s first capital campaign. In 1999, she became a founding Trustee and Upper School Project Director, where she played a central role in securing the 114-acre campus and shaping the design and construction of the Upper School. Her fingerprints remain on everything from strategic fundraising to the fixtures selected for classrooms and hallways. Kathy later served as Associate Head of Admissions, Director of Financial Aid, and Director of Strategic Initiatives, guiding the school through its transformational campus unification project. Even in retirement, she remained a joyful and familiar presence - attending concerts, events, and especially Grandparents Days with Hadley and Wills. Many may not know that before her decades of work in education, Kathy built an impressive early career in national politics and government. A cum laude graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University with dual majors in Politics and Government (with a concentration in International Relations) and Journalism, she earned a highly competitive internship on the Gerald Ford Re-election Campaign. This led to a role as a research assistant in the Press Division of the President Ford Committee in 1976. She went on to serve as Director of Nutrition Programs at Fraser/Associates, Director of Correspondence for U.S. Senator William V. Roth, Managing Editor of the International Trade & Investments Newsletter, and Research Director for the International Business Advisory Council’s information services. After the birth of her daughter, she transitioned away from government work, taking on freelance journalism before devoting herself fully to her community and family. Kathy lived a life defined by generosity, wit, and an unwavering belief in the power of community - whether a school, a family, or the many people whose lives she touched. Her influence endures in the traditions she created, the institutions she strengthened, the loved ones she nurtured, and the countless individuals who felt seen, supported, and uplifted by her presence. She will be deeply missed. We’d like to invite everyone whose lives were touched by Kathy’s warmth and kindness to the visitation held on Friday, December 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Kalas Funeral Home located at 2973 Solomons Island Road in Edgewater. A Memorial Service will be held at Indian Creek School, located at 1130 Anne Chambers Way in Crownsville on Saturday, December 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Indian Creek School or a charity you love in her name. https://www.boostmyschool.com/orgs/indiancreekschool/campaigns/creekfund