Janet Louise Simonson, 75

MILTON - Janet Louise Simonson of Milton, formerly of Port Jervis, N.Y., died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, in Milton at the home of her daughter after a long and courageous fight with respiratory disease. She was 75.

Mrs. Simonson was born in 1932, in Manhattan, N.Y., daughter of the late Valentine and Louise Braun.

Her life led her down many paths from TV productions like the Rudie Kazoodie Show in the 1950s, to professional roller derby, to public relations for Madison Square Gardens, to owning Jan"s Pet Shop and several other businesses in Port Jervis with her husband, Bob.

Mrs. Simonson was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

A staunch supporter of Port Jervis wrestling, she oversaw the Mat Maids for many years. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and a loyal member of the Orange County Democratic Party.

Some of her best memories were traveling the country in her RV with her husband and their best friends, Bob and Ellie Habig, and Stephanie and Alan Tooley.

From watching the Banach boys win their Olympic golds in Los Angeles, to the Grand Ole" Oprey, she traveled most of this country and loved every minute of it.

In retirement she spent as much time as possible crabbing and clamming the Delaware Bay and the Charolette Bay, Fla., with her children and grandchildren. Her life was full.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Robert George Simonson on Aug. 8, 2001.

She is survived by two daughters and two sons-in-law, Diane and Gary Bensley of Huguenot, N.Y. and Valerie and Jay Baker of Milton; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Robert Simonson of Port Jervis and Ron and Mary Simonson of Milton; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be 3 p.m. today in the Chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton, where friends may call one hour earlier.

Burial will be private.