MARGARITA ISABEL SIMONS

THOSE WISHING TO MAKE A DONATION IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, ARE ENCOURAGED THAT DONATIONS BE MADE IN HER MEMORY TO THE HOLY REDEEMER BUILDING FUND, 1819 NEVADA STREET, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS  78203 OR ANIMAL DEFENSE LEAGUE, 11300 NACOGDOCHES RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78217.

Margarita Isabel Hawkins Simons was born to the late Violeta Anderson and Felix Hawkins on July 8, 1951 in Colon, Republic of Panama as well as her only brother, Ricardo Hawkins.

She is loved and will be greatly missed by her husband, Gary Simons. She is survived by two sons, Gabriele Isaac and Gregory N. Simons and his wife, Patricia Adesanya Simons; step children, Audrey Millner, Gary Simons Jr and Kelli Rollins and her husband, Alphonse Rollins; grandchildren, Alexxis; Amaya and Ahlias Isaac; Gary Simons III; Alphonse Rollins Jr and Ashlee Rollins, goddaughters Rochell Delevante and Kiamanis Betegon; sisters-in-law, Beverly Burns and Gwennette Simons and her partner Cynthia Livingston; brothers-in law, Anthony Simons and his wife, Caroline as well as many other beloved extended members of the family, Holy Redeemer Church family and loving friends.

She was affectionately called "Margo" by family and friends. She grew up in Colon, Panama and was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church where she attended Colegio Paulino de San Jose Catholic School. She was a foreign exchanged student and graduated as a senior in June 1970 from Shawnee Mission South High School in Overland Park, Kansas.

Margo worked on the Canal Zone for the American Government where she began her career as a civil servant employee in 1971 at Coco Solo Hospital in the Radiology Department. She would later work in many other clinics and as hospital office secretary. In 1982, she met Gary Simons. At that time, he was assigned to Gorgas Army Hospital in Panama City, Panama where he served as the sergeant major. He was a single parent with three children, Audrey, KelJi, Gary Jr. and was introduced to her son, Gabriele Isaac. Gary and Margo were married in February 1985 at Fort Gulick Army Base located on the Atlantic side and to this blended family union Gregory was born. Later they moved to Washington, D.C. where Gay was assigned as the Sergeant Major and later the Command Sergeant Major at Walter Reed Medical Center. After serving as the Command Sergeant Major for three years, he retired and the family in 1988 moved and settled in San Antonio, Texas.

Margo working career in San Antonio was primarily in healthcare. She worked at the Nix Medical Center in San Antonio and Brooke Army Medical Center/ San Antonio Military Medical Center in the Medical Oncology Service followed by her medical transcription experience in the Transcription Section as a transcriptionist lead and then as a supervisor until she retired from civil service in July 2016.

As a member of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and who has remained a member for her remaining life, she served as a Religious Education and Vacation Bible school teacher, a member of the Knights of St. Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Santa Monica Court #35, member of Sister to Sister, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and Lector. She spent much time as a volunteer in various capacities. Margo spoiled her grandchildren, enjoyed cooking special meals for them and attended many of their basketball games. She was a great lover of animals. She loved traveling and bowling. Her travels included cruises to several islands in the Bahamas and also to Germany, Paris and Ghana, Africa. After retirement, she continued volunteering at the Interfaith Welcome Coalition organization who provide a friendly welcome to asylum seekers at the San Antonio Greyhound Bus Station. She was a member of the Northeast Senior Center and avidly participated in recreational activities especially fitness and dance classes. Margo will be remembered for her amicable personality, cooperative spirit and perpetual smile.

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