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1931 - 2018

BORN

1931

DIED

2018

Ann-Mari Simonsen Obituary

Ann-Mari Simonsen

Ann-Mari Simonsen passed away at her home on November 8, 2018. She was born in Tromsø, Norway on May 18, 1931 and immigrated to the US in 1949 to attend the University of Washington (BS in chemistry) and then NYU (MS in physical chemistry). In 1957 she returned to Seattle to start a family. She first lived in Bellevue before moving to Beaux Arts Village, where she was an active member of the community for almost 50 years. She spent her last six years at Covenant Shores on Mercer Island.

Ann-Mari's first job was as a research chemist for International Nickel, where she earned and contributed to several patents. Later she was a chemistry professor at Shoreline Community College for 37 years.

She led a life full of physical and intellectual activities. Ann-Mari stayed fit, skied often, went on long-distance hikes, sailed Puget Sound, loved her garden, and climbed Mt. Rainier to celebrate her 50th birthday. She fed her intellectual curiosity with travel, bridge, books, and spirited discussions with like-minded friends. In retirement, she volunteered as a CASA for 15 years, during which time she shepherded over 25 foster care children into loving, adoptive homes.

She loved spending time with her family, especially her six grandchildren. She baked cookies, told stories, had conversations, and took grandkids on hikes, on trips, to the beach, and to the store to buy them things they really didn't need. She would do anything for them.

Ann-Mari was a steadfast friend, a loving mother, and a fabulous grandmother. She will be missed.

Because Ann-Mari so valued her Norwegian heritage, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Sons of Norway Foundation in her name.

Please sign Ann-Mari's online Guestbook at www.Legacy.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Nov. 18, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Ann-Mari Simonsen

Sponsored by The Family.

13 Entries

evonn oneill

March 13, 2020

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

Julie Smersh Burger

July 2, 2019

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.

Winston Addis

November 28, 2018

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

Chris Christoffersen

November 22, 2018

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.

Tori Madison

November 21, 2018

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, and showed me your very hopeful smile.

Sov Godt.
Jeg er sa glad i deg.
Forever and always.

Talk to you soon, Bestemor.

Much love.
Your first granddaughter,
Tori-Mor

November 20, 2018

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

Jane Becker

November 19, 2018

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

November 19, 2018

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, Vivian and Kathy keep the spirit up with your loving memory of her and take a good care of yourself because you are very important to her.
With Love Forever,
Phuong Nguyen (Fremont, CA)

Relay for Life~Survivor=Ÿ

November 19, 2018

Kathy Madison

November 19, 2018

I deeply loved my mother-in-law, Ann-Mari (often affectionately known as Bestemor). Over the years people said she was so fortunate to have me in her life, but truly it was the other way around ~ I was the lucky one. It was a blessing to be accepted as her second daughter-especially after losing my own mother in 2001. Ann-Mari lovingly opened her heart and home to so many over her lifetime. She cultivated not only beautiful flower gardens but also a colorful bouquet of life-long friends. We laughed, cried and solved many of the worlds 'problems' over a glass of wine. I miss her and her beautiful soul everyday ❤

November 19, 2018

We appreciated Ann-Mari's friendship with Betty Heck, and her visiting BWH in Rehab at Cov Shores last summer, after many years of friendship in the village. I so enjoyed Ann-Mari myself, when she took me sailing on the hobeycat and tutored me in chemistry. She was so generous, active and kind. Our condolences to V & P. Best, Gerry Heckendorn Poor

Paula Brackett

November 18, 2018

I worked with Ann-Mari at Shoreline for many years and I'm broken-hearted at her passing. She was a wonderful teacher and demanded a lot from her students but they were well prepared for whatever came next for them. She was witty and had a heart of gold - I will miss her.

Mark Parker

November 18, 2018

I'm very sorry to hear of Ann-Mari's passing. I worked with her for 18 of the 37 years she was at Shoreline CC. She was one of the teachers that made Shoreline a great place to work and to study.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results