ROCKLAND — Loretta Emily O’Neil Simmons, 89, passed away Friday, May 9, 2025, at Homestead Assisted Living in Cushing. Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, March 26, 1936, she was the daughter of Timothy Henry and Margaret Kamal O’Neil.

Family was always important to Loretta, and she joined the workforce early in life to help support them.

She enjoyed boating and waterskiing.

Loretta met and married Craig Simmons and moved to Rockland in 1975, where they had three children, Craig, Daniel and Derek.

Loretta had many different jobs but the one she loved the most was serving the public at Wasses Hot Dog Wagon. While working there, she enjoyed seeing all her old friends and making new ones.

Loretta was a strong woman and an amazing mother and grandmother.

She will be missed from trips to Dunken for her Iced Coffee, to China Coast with her grandson Alec and his wife Makayla, to picnics at Glen Cove or going to dinner anywhere. She particularly loved her cat Muffin.

Predeceased by her brother Timothy Henry O’Neil, Loretta is survived by her three children, Craig Simmons, Daniel ‘Dan’ Simmons (Heidi Smith) all of Rockland, Derek Simmons (Duane) Braswell of Port St. Lucy, Florida; four grandchildren, Jacob Morse (Shannon), and their children Lucas and Wyatt, Alec Simmons (Makayla) and their soon-to-be-born daughter Avery, Haley Riedel (Brandon), Gabriel Simmons; her brother Daniel O’Neil (Pat) and their three children.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 11 a.m., at Achorn Cemetery, Old County Road, Rockland.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland. To share a memory or story with Loretta’s family, please visit her online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.