Delores Ann Simkin

Delores Ann Simkin died peacefully on Friday, November 4, 2016 in Bellevue, Washington at the age of 78. Young Delores was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Joe and Ruth Simkin. After experiencing chronic earaches for the first few years of her life, the doctor recommended her family relocate to Arizona where the weather was warmer. The family did relocate, and with her new baby brother, Gary, in tow. In Arizona, Delores' earaches improved, fortunately. Eventually, Delores' father, a traveling salesman, moved her family to Los Angeles where Delores would later attend UCLA and ultimately graduate from California State Northridge. With a major in Education, Delores became an elementary school teacher and transitioned into "Ms. Simkin." When Delores' parents moved to Bellevue, Washington to open a small business, she moved, too. There, she became a fixture at Spiritridge Elementary making readers, writers and thespians out of 3rd graders. Perhaps Delores' greatest gift as a teacher was her attention to the different strengths of her students, whether left-brained or right-brained, until she retired in 1996. Delores was preceded in death by her parents and her brother. She is survived by her dear friends Svetlana McFarland and Steve Wade, as well as her many students and their families, to whom she remained a beloved mentor.