Rock Hill, SC – Joanne Regg Simmons passed away peacefully on June 15, 2024 at Piedmont Medical Center.
The family is planning a Prayer and Inurnment Service on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Allegany Cemetery in Allegany, NY.
Born May 8, 1933, Joanne was the eldest child of John Henry Regg and Florence Guenther Regg in Coudersport, PA. She graduated from Coudersport, PA High School in 1951. After high school she attended Robert Packer Hospital School of Nursing in Sayre, PA, graduating in 1954. Joanne was licensed as a Professional Registered Nurse in both Pennsylvania and New York. In 1968, she earned certification as a Critical Care RN.
Joanne married Malcolm Earley Simmons on February 27, 1955, from whom she divorced in 1991. She was employed for 41 years as a Registered Professional Nurse, working full time at the Olean General Hospital in Olean, NY for 35 years. She continued to advance her education in 1968, attending the University of Buffalo studying Coronary Care. In October of 1968, she was one of the original nursing staff members that opened the first Coronary Care Unit (later designated as Critical Care) at Olean General Hospital in the western New York state region. She witnessed its growth from a four bed unit to 8 beds in 1973 and then expanded to 13 beds in 1991; this happened after the former St. Francis Hospital in Olean merged with the Olean General Hospital. She also instituted an Intermediate Care (Step Down) Unit from the ICCU at that time. Joanne was the nurse manager of the ICCU at Olean General Hospital for 27 years, retiring from her distinguished career in 1995.She was a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and earned her Critical Care Certification in 1968.
Joanne’s professional life expanded into education. She taught Coronary Care & Critical Care classes at Olean General Hospital. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, she participated in teaching seminars for the western NY and southern PA RN’s, sponsored by the American Heart Association & Alfred University in Alfred, NY. She also taught heart rhythm classes to both RN’s and Monitor Technicians during her years as a nurse manager.
After Joanne’s retirement in 1995, she became active in several organizations in the Olean, NY area. She served as President, Treasurer, and Memorial Fund Chairman for the Olean, NY Senior League. She also served as President, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Planning Committee on Issues of the Aging, that administers the Olean Senior Center on North Barry Street in Olean, NY. In addition to these vital roles, Joanne was an active member for 12 years of “The Silvertones”, a singing group sponsored by the Olean Senior League. They entertained often at all of the area nursing homes. In 2005, she completed a family genealogy history of both her paternal and maternal families. After resigning from all of these organizations in November 2010, she moved to Rock Hill, SC to reside in the same city as her daughter and son-in-law. Beginning in 2010, she thoroughly enjoyed reading, corresponding, walking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Joanne is survived by a daughter, Jo Ann Simmons Nunn, son-in-law, Craig Chester Nunn of Rock Hill, SC and 2 grandchildren, Jeremy Robert Nunn and his wife, Gina from West Valley, NY, and Christa Leeann Nunn Bucior and her husband, Mason of Tonawanda, NY; six great grandchildren, Karsen Patrick Nunn and Peyton Leeann Nunn of Kenmore, NY, Eva Barnes, Emma Nunn, and Jameson Robert Nunn of West Valley, NY, and Cullen Glenn Bucior of Tonawanda, NY. In addition to her parents, Joanne was preceded in death by a daughter, Danae Denise Simmons in 1979 and her three siblings.
Condolences can be made at www.greenefuneralhome.net