Dorothea R. Simmons Md

WORCESTER - Dorothea R. Simmons, MD, (99 years old), long time resident of Worcester passed away on July 1, 2022, at the Briarwood Retirement Community, where she resided for many years.

Dr. Simmons, better known to many as "Dottie", was born on November 17, 1922, in New York City. She was the third of four children born to Cuthbert Cantebury and Jenniphy Beryl Simmons, who had two years prior emigrated from Bermuda.

After the family's purchase of a farm in Malta, New York in 1929, Dottie attended Round Lake Union School, completing her elementary level studies in three years in the one room schoolhouse. Dottie continued to excel academically and distinguished herself as valedictorian of the class of 1940 at Saratoga Springs High School.

Following high school, she attended New YOH(State Teachers College at Albany for two years before accepting an academic scholarship to Howard University for the remainder of her undergraduate work. She then matriculated at Howard University Medical School where she graduated eighth in the class of 1949. Post graduate training included a rotating internship at Harlem Hospital and residencies in adult psychiatry at Connecticut State Hospital and Worcester State Hospital. This was followed by training in child psychiatry at Worcester Youth Guidance Center and later training in geriatric psychiatry.

After employment in her specialty In West Virginia and Rhode. Island, In 1966, she began her life and work in Worcester as staff psychiatrist at Worcester Youth Guidance Center, continuing for many years until retirement. Her duties included clinical work, as well as training and supervision, and consultation to schools and agencies.

Dr. Simmons held life memberships in numerous professional groups including the American Psychiatric Association, Massachusetts Psychiatric Association, New England Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the National Medical Association. She also held memberships in the American Medical Women's Association, Black Psychiatrists of America, and the Association of Women Psychiatrists.
Her dedication to helping others extended beyond her professional obligations. Included among her many contributions are support of the political process through the Worcester Election Commission and participation in. Senator Edward Brooke's first senatorial campaign, women's rights through Psychiatrists for ERA, and women's health through the Women's Health Initiative. As recently as 2011, Dr. Simmons volunteered at. Clarke Street Elementary School as part of the national senior volunteer group, RSVP, to help children learn to read. She made numerous contributions to the Worcester community by giving lectures and participating on many committees over the years. She remained an active learner by taking college courses into her late eighties.

She is mourned by many friends and family. She is survived by niece Karen Simmons Gillian and husband, Terry Gillian, MD of Fresno, California; nephew K. Bruce Simmons, MD and wife, Jacquelyn of Jamesville, New York; niece Patricia Simmons and partner David Joseph of Roslindale, Massachusetts; and Janet Waters and husband James Baylor of Woodlawn, Maryland. She is also survived by grand-nieces and nephews and a myriad of other family members.

A family hour will be held at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden, on Tuesday, July 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Greendale Peoples Church, 25 Francis Street, Worcester, MA 01606 on Wednesday, July 13 at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating in Dorothea's memory to Abby's House, 52 High St, Worcester MA 01609, Greendale People's Church, 25 Francis St, 01606, or Planned Parenthood, 470 Pleasant St, Worcester, 01609.

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