Judy Marie Simmons

Judy Marie Simmons was born in Santa Barbara, CA on 2/4/49, six minutes before her twin, Jeri. She is a beloved daughter of David H. Simmons (Missouri) and Mary A. Simmons (New York), and beloved sister to Steve and Jeri Simmons. She is also beloved by relatives, friends & co-workers. Judy spent her very young years battling asthma (the days of no inhalers), in and out of the hospital. She was unable to be very active like her tomboy sister. Even as a young person, she never complained, a trait she was known for throughout her life. Her asthma did not stop her from being a star scholastically: scholar of the quarter in high school, graduating in the top five from S.F. State University, with a degree in Sociology. Judy is a people-person and enjoyed the challenge of working with many different people because she saw the intrinsic value of everyone, never demanding that anyone see things her way, but having the patience, personality, and brains to convince people of her positions. The word 'nice' can be over-used and trivialized, but in Judy's case, it has the deepest meaning. She is kind, generous, loving and gracefully patient with people, and gets to know the real person. Some of her closest friends have remained close and loyal for 20 to 40 years. Judy started her career with Contra Costa Department of Social Services on 9/5/73 as an Eligibility Worker later became a Social Worker, Systems Analyst and later became a Division Manager. She worked on numerous projects and was loaned to work with the State to develop future automation systems. Judy returned to Contra Costa and became a Social Services Business Systems Application Manager on 2/02/2000. Her brilliance on the job, often handling tough situations with grace and wit, and her generosity as a mentor, having an acute eye for brains and talent ensured a solid future for Employment and Human Services Department. Judy retired on 04/01/2011, was congratulated by the Director who asked her to report to him the next day. Unfortunately, we lost a great person who individually meant so much to us. Hopefully, we will find comfort in remembering a truly loving person that made each of us feel special.