Obit: Thiadocia Simonds ... former Lebanon teacher

ROCHESTER - Thiadocia L. "Teddy" Simonds, 76, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2013.
Teddi was born on August 21, 1937, in Albany, N.Y. She was a graduate of Waverly High School in Waverly, N.Y. Teddi received a B.S. in Education from Mansfield University in Mansfield, Pa., and a M.A. in Reading from Boston University. She also completed an advanced certification program in gifted education at Notre Dame College in Manchester.
A beloved teacher, Teddi had a wonderful career in education for over 43 years. She taught in both New York State and California before settling in New England. Locally, she taught in Somersworth for 17 years, first in the dual enrollment program and then at Great Falls School where she also coached elementary school basketball and was one of the founders of the Somersworth Girls Softball program. She went on to teach in the gifted education program in North Berwick, Berwick and Lebanon, Maine, for 16 years. As part of her dedication to her students, Teddi both coached and coordinated the Odyssey of the Mind program for Somersworth and SAD #60. She served on the OM State Board in both New Hampshire and Maine and was regional coordinator in Maine. Later on she served in the same capacity for Destination Imagination in Maine.
Teddi was a "people" person who enjoyed an active life with her many friends, traveling in each of the 48 continental states, playing bridge, participating in a book group. She was a member of the Rochester Women's Softball League. Teddi belonged to Nippo Lake Golf Club and then the Rochester Country Club. She also participated in New Hampshire Women's Golf Association events.
As a communicant of Our Lady of Peace Church in Berwick, Maine, Teddi was a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. She coordinated the religious education program for 16 years and served as Parish Council President. Prior to that she belonged to Holy Trinity Church in Somersworth where she also taught religious education. Teddi was a lay associate affiliated with the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Maine. She was also a volunteer at the Table of Plenty in Berwick.
Teddi is survived by a half-sister, Judi Price, of Ahwahnee, Calif., and half-brothers Keith Cole of Blytheville, Ark., and Neil Cole of Columbus, Miss. With her selfless nature and love of people, Teddi will be dearly missed by her many friends.

ARRANGEMENTS

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Ignatius of Loyola at St. Martin's Church, 120 Maple Street (comer West High Street) in Somersworth, at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning, November 9, 2013. A celebration of her life will follow in the church hall. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Cocheco Valley Humane Society, 262 County Farm Rd., Dover, N.H. 03820-6043.