Ann-Mari Simonsen

In memory of a dear friend,mentor and influential teacher. I am saddened to see that I missed my chance to thank you on earth for your support of me. Your tough teaching and kind guidance was so inspirational and influential in my goals. You inspired me to challenge the barriers of a poor single,mother who was a high school drop-out. You believed in my possibilities. I took your advice. thanks, we will sail again together my friend,
Evonn O'Neill MD

She was one of the absolute finest instructors I have ever known and a wonderful mentor. I am so grateful to have had her as a teacher and to have known her as a friend.

Classy intelligent lady and a good friend for more than twenty years!

I have known Ann-Mari { Vesla to me } for more than 30 years.
For many years we exercised together 3 mornings a week.
Often after exercise we spent some time over a cup of coffee and a chat.
We both grew up in Norway and we often talked about our childhoods, our families in Norway and the war years.
We became best friends and called each other sisters.
I miss her. She will always be with me.

Chris.

My dearest Bestemor,

You were not only my grandmother, but also my first best friend.

It will be very difficult to not call you when I need you, but I know if I want to talk to you, you will always listen.

I will cherish all of our memories, from my first day until your last.

I remember the last time I saw you. We spoke about your spirit animal, the hummingbird. The last thing I told you was that "like the hummingbird, you will fly away soon." You held my hand,...

Ann-Mari will be missed by hundreds (thousands?) of her former students. She was an institution at Shoreline C.C. where some students would actively avoid her chem classes because, like any good teacher, she challenged her students.
I remember once, at the beginning of a lecture, she said that, maybe at the moment of our passing, all the answers would present themselves. If that's so, I hope she was happy with what she found.
Farewell, old friend.
John W. Iorillo

I was in Book Club and Scandinavian Group with Vesla and have many fond memories of talks and times shared. She will be missed.

I loved Ann Mari deeply. Our relationship grew after 35 years. I looked up her as my second Mother in my heart. I could not tell you how I appreciated her advise and how I learnt from her Chemistry and lessons in life. She was a wonderful Teacher and Mother that I felt so lucky to be her student. She paid attention and cared for me all the times. She wrote me many letters and made sure I was alright for everything. How lovely and kindly she was. I missed her badly.
I wish Peter,...