Carol Siminski

Carol Ann Siminski

1944 - 2025

Carol Ann Siminski, beloved wife, sister, aunt, godmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025 in Santa Maria, California, at the age of 81, after complications with Parkinson 's disease.

Carol Ann Grib was born in Chicago in 1944, where she grew up alongside her three siblings, Tom (deceased), Terri (deceased), and Joanne. From an early age, she developed a love of learning and literature, which shaped both her studies and her career. She earned her bachelor's degree in English Literature from DePaul University in Chicago and went on to complete her master's degree at Indiana University.

A dedicated educator, Carol spent much of her professional life teaching and supporting students. She began as a high school teacher in both Chicago and San Jose, later serving as an adult education teacher in San Jose. She then devoted 15 years to Allan Hancock College, working in a program that supported students with learning difficulties. Her patience, compassion, and gift for teaching touched countless lives.

In 1968, Carol married the love of her life, David Siminski, in Chicago. Together, they built a home filled with devotion and faith. They moved to Santa Maria in 1979, where Carol became a member of St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church in Orcutt.

Carol and David shared a passion for travel and the beauty of nature. Together, they explored 29 National Parks, 113 California State Parks, and countless National Monuments and parks beyond California. Their adventures reflected not only a love of discovery, but also a deep appreciation for life's simple joys.

Though she did not have children of her own, Carol embraced her role as a cherished aunt and godmother. She found great joy in her large extended family, which included 26 nieces and nephews, their families, and many great-nieces and great-nephews who adored her. Her kindness, wisdom, and gentle humor left an enduring mark on each of them.

David, her husband of 56 years, remembers her as:

"Carol is someone who tried to make the lives of others better - whether through education, encouragement, humor (she could make a statue smile), love, or sympathy. I could not have had a better life partner."

Carol's life was one of love, service, and grace. She is survived by her devoted husband, David, her sister Joanne, her 26 nieces and nephews, 36 grand-nieces, and nephews, 8 great grand-nieces and nephews, and several godchildren, as well as countless friends and former students whose lives she touched.

A funeral Mass will be held on September 16, 2025 at St. Louis de Montfort Church in Orcutt. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Carol's memory to a charity of choice.

Carol will be remembered for her warmth, her faith, and her unwavering love for her family. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

Visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com to leave a condolence for the family.