Constance L. Simmons, 84, of Portsmouth, RI died Thursday, June 22, 2017. Constance was born March 31, 1933 in Newport, RI, the daughter of the late Anthony and Irma (Occaso) DeCotis.

Constance was a devoted wife and mother. She cherished her time spent with her family.

Constance is predeceased by her husband, Christopher Simmons.

She is survived by her daughter, Sheila Holmes of Portsmouth, RI and her sons, Anthony Simmons of Fall River, MA and Andrew Simmons of Portsmouth, RI. Constance is also survived by her brother Eugene DeCotis of Portsmouth, RI. and three grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Visiting Nurse Services for their excellent care and compassion.

Calling Hours are respectfully omitted and the family requests no flowers.

The funeral will be held on Tuesday June 27, 2017 at 10:00 AM in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI

Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery, Middletown, RI.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...