Elisabeth M. De Simone

Elisabeth M. De Simone, 92, of Wakefield, died on Monday, July 2, surrounded by her sons, Carl and Peter, her granddaughters, Noa and Gioia, and dear friends Linda and Joel. She was the daughter of Egon and Margarethe (Modern) Fischer, born on October 4, 1925, in Pernitz, Austria, and the beloved wife of Vincent L. De Simone who died on October 13, 1992.In April 1939 she fled Nazi Austria on a Kindertransport with her sister and brother and resided in England where she graduated high school from St. Mary's College in Leeds, Yorkshire. She later joined her sister as a nurse in training at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital in Exeter, England. There she met and married her husband, Vincent, a lieutenant, later captain, in the US Army. Her son, Carl was born there before she came to the US, a so-called "war bride" in February 1946. She resided in Providence until 1995 when she moved to Narragansett, and more recently to Wakefield. Over the years Elisabeth, better know as "Betty," dedicated time to many religious, civic and cultural organizations. She collected donations house-to-house for many charitable groups. She was an active member of the Rosary and Altar Societies of St. Ann and St. Augustine parishes, and the St. Pius Mothers Club in Providence. As a foreign-born bride, she was also active in the English Speaking Union and International Institute. In later years she was a board member of the RI Civic Chorale and Orchestra, the Providence Opera Theater, and the Opera Guild. Classical music and opera was a great part of her life, the love of which she passed on to her sons. In younger years Betty was sportyskated, played tennis, and skied. She was also a devoted bridge player for many years. Funeral from Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield, RI on Friday at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. Thomas More Church, 53 Rockland St., Narragansett. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 4-7pm.