Virginia A. Simmon received her Bachelor's and Master's of Arts in Education from the University of Toledo. She also received a Master's of Arts in General English Studies from Northern Arizona University, as well as certificates in Professional Writing, Arizona Community College Teaching, and Master Tutoring for College Reading and Leading.

She was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi Education Honorary and Phi Alpha Theta National History HonoraryGinny began her career as an educator in 1964 teaching 7th grade English for Mason Consolidated Schools in Erie, MI.

After moving to Arizona, she became an active parent volunteer in a number of advisory committees and subsequently taught for the Paradise Valley Unified School District. One of her greatest joys was teaching English as a Second Language. She spent 20 years teaching ESL with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest and throughout the Maricopa community colleges becoming a Phoenix College Faculty Associate. Ginny retired from teaching as a full-time English instructor at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Ginny also presented at numerous conferences and received eight national grants to continue advancing English instructionDescribed as creative and insightful by faculty, she was a generous instructor who put her students first. Ginny believed that teaching is the empowerment of the student, not power over the student. This passion for teaching and students drove her attitude, her lessons and her mission as a teacher.

Ginny was preceded in death by her parents; husband Paul Simmon and a sister. Left to cherish her memory are a daughter and a son; and three grandchildren.

Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest and Wreaths Across America.

Please visit hansenmortuary.com for online condolences.