Lisa Lynn Simmons, loved people, nature
Lisa Lynn Simmons of Bellows Falls, Vt., died peacefully at home Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in the company of her wife and family. She and her wife had recently moved to Vermont after decades of residing in and around Millsboro.
Lisa was a kind and caring soul whose life was guided by compassion, creativity and an adventurous spirit. Known for a gentle presence and deep love for both people and nature, Lisa touched many lives through her years of service with Kiwanis, with her art and friendship.
Lisa always loved nature and spending time outdoors. She worked as a naturalist at Trap Pond State Park in Laurel during several summers. Later she worked at DNREC, helping to promote Delaware State Parks. She always said her favorite job had been with the Delaware Tourism Department, where she got to explore other destinations, and she and her wife traveled extensively in their camper van before settling down to create their new lives in Vermont in 2022. Lisa loved food – researching recipes and inventing her own, cooking and eating from a wide variety of cultures – and had plans to start a food-based cottage industry in Vermont. We called her “the queen of herbs & spices.”
Lisa expressed her healing intentions through music, hosting and participating in drumming circles, finding connection and peace in rhythm and community. A nurse and practitioner of reiki healing, she believed in holistic well-being and the power of healing energy, offering comfort to many. Her most recent job as a school bus driver allowed her to dedicate her breaks and summers to caring for her parents in Maryland.
Above all, Lisa lived with an open heart, a curious spirit, and a love for life’s journey. Lisa will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her. She was a light.
Lisa Simmons is survived by her beloved wife, Mary Ann Benyo; mother, Sally Simmons; sisters, Kathy Lingo (Jay) and Kim Willoughby (Rex); nephews, Jordan and Connor; niece, Sara; grand-niece, Lucy; and numerous friends and acquaintances both in Vermont and Delaware and beyond. Her father, Lloyd Simmons, predeceased her.
In honoring Lisa, a Celebration of Life is planned for 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, at Rockingham Public Library, Bellows Falls, Vt., and at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 25, at Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, inquire about making a donation to Bayada Hospice Fund at philanthropy@bayada.org. They were extraordinary in helping Lisa to make a safe and peaceful journey to the other side.
