Penny Perry Simons

Penny passed away peacefully on September 24, 2023. Penny was born on September 19, 1940 in Denver, Colorado. When she was 11 years old she moved with her mom, brother and step-father to Boise, Idaho where they settled in a house on 23rd St. She attended Lowell Elementary, North Junior High and graduated from Boise High School in 1958. She then attended Colorado Women’s College where she received her Associate’s Degree. After getting her degree, Penny moved back to Boise. She married William Simons on New Year’s Day in 1965, intentionally timing the ceremony to fall between the Cotton and the Rose Bowl. Together, Bill and Penny raised two children, Will and Marcy.

Penny devoted much of her life to raising her children. She was President of the PTO and a room mother in almost every elementary school class that her kids were in. She was very active in the Junior League of Idaho and loved to put on their puppet shows for the elementary school kids at the Idaho Historical Museum. She was well known with the kids for her rendition of Bertha the Cow.

After Penny’s children went to college she took up walking and soon became well known in her neighborhood as the “Walking Lady”. She would walk her dogs 3-5 miles per day, 7 days a week faithfully in sun, rain or snow. Penny’s dogs were always a very important part of her life and she had many over the years. She especially loved puppies, as well as all the dogs she met on her walks. Initially, Penny’s walking route took her through her neighborhood and into the foothills.  The foothills portion of her walks was sacred for her but she eventually had to give it up as the uneven ground became hard for her to navigate. Though this was a bit heartbreaking for her, she continued her neighborhood route for many more years. Penny became so well known for her walks that sometimes while out around town with her family, she would be recognized by neighbors that she’d never met. They would introduce themselves and tell her they knew if they were late for work or dropping their kids off at school by where she was on her walking route.  

Penny also loved all of her neighbors and knew everything going on with all of them. She lived in her same house for over 50 years, she definitely was the O.G. of Boise Heights. She also loved all the kids in the neighborhood and enjoyed watching them grow up and bringing them all presents on holidays and birthdays. She was very generous and always kept an organized calendar of all her family, friend’s and neighbor’s birthdays so she could acknowledge and celebrate them. 

Penny loved to be social and enjoyed traveling, luncheons, dinners and happy hour get-togethers with her close friends. Chandler’s was her top favorite where she would enjoy their famous 10-minute martini. She and Bill were lifelong supporters of the Boise State Football and Basketball programs. They faithfully attended as many games as possible, enjoying not only the games but also the company of all the other “regulars” with whom they struck up friendships.  After Bill’s death, Penny continued to be a faithful fan and would attend football and basketball games with one of her dear friends who was also a longtime BSU fan.

Penny loved being a mom to her own kids but her greatest joys were her grandchildren. She spent a lot of time spoiling them with donuts, rootbeer and sleep overs. She loved watching them grow up and liked to hear about everything going on in their lives. 

Penny is survived by her daughter Marcy S. Bauer (Jon), son William P. Simons and her grandchildren: Hayden and Paige Bauer and Joshua and Avery Simons. Penny was preceded in death by her husband, William F. Simons, her brother Peter G. Perry and her parents Gerald L. Perry and Elaine Glasgow Steere. 

We would like to thank all the wonderful providers, nurses and staff at the Terraces of Boise for their compassionate care and support of Penny over the past 3 years.

Burial will be under the direction of Relyea Funeral Home. Per Penny’s request there will be no funeral service.  Her family will have a private memorial together to honor her. In remembrance of Penny, go for a walk with your dogs, enjoy a martini or do something kind for your neighbors, for these were the things that she loved. 

 In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to her favorite charities in her memory which include: 
·The Idaho Humane Society Adoption Center, 1300 S Bird St, Boise, ID 83709
·The Bill and Penny Athletic Endowed Scholarship  Boise State University, 1910 University Drive Boise, Idaho 83725
·Or any other charity of your choice.