Anne Rae Simons

Anne Rae Simons was born February 5, 1953, in Iowa City, Iowa to Mary Barba Simons and Raymond Lawrence Simons. She was the oldest of 5 children and spent her childhood in Windsor, CT. She is the proud mother to one daughter.
Initially her life was settled and centered almost exclusively in New England, having graduated with a degree from Hartford College for Women and a BA from the University of New Hampshire, but Anne yearned for adventure.
After a short period living in Florida (the first time) and Ohio and after taking a cross-country trip to visit friends, she made the brave and selfless choice to join the United State Air Force.
After completing Squadron Officers' School at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, Anne began her 20-year career, retiring in 2006 as a Major. The Air Force took her across the country and the world; having served in Oklahoma, Azores Portugal, Delaware, Illinois, Georgia, Mississippi, Virginia and Florida. Second only to being a mother, Anne was most proud of her military service and the opportunity to serve her country.
Anne was a Gulf War Veteran and received the AF Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the AF Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, AF Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, AF Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal with on Oak Leaf Cluster.
Following her retirement, Anne continued serving her country working in the Civil Service at Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral as a member of NASA.
Anne was a loving mother, daughter, aunt, and sister, a devoted friend and a dedicated caregiver to her three precious cats. Family and friendship were everything to her, spending most of her personal time visiting with her closest friends who lived all over the world and with family from aunts and uncles to nieces and nephews. The most important person in her life was her beautiful daughter, Emily Simons.
Anne went to be with the Lord on December 13, 2025, at the age of 72. Everyone will miss her infectious laugh, her bright smile, and her adventurous spirit.
Anne was predeceased by her mother, Maryellen Barba Simons Brackett and her father, Raymond Lawrence Simons. She is survived by her daughter, Emily Paige Simons, her second dad, Clifford Brackett, her siblings, Jeff, Derrick (Donna), Lise (Jon) and Sharon (Lee) and multitudes of cousins, nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and friends who will miss her dearly.
A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Pensacola Memorial Gardens followed by a Military Service with Full Honors at Barrancas National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family is recommending donations be made in Anne's names to the following charities: The American Cancer Society, UCF Aphasia House, or your local Humane Society.