Norma Simmons

Norma Rae Thomas Simmons, 94, of Draper, Utah, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2026, four days shy of her 95th birthday. She was a lifelong and devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Norma was known for her class and sophistication. She dressed impeccably and maintained a beautiful, immaculate home. She was sentimental, with family heirlooms and treasures from her world travels tastefully displayed throughout. Norma had a wicked and irreverent sense of humor that contrasted beautifully with her elegance. She was intelligent, and charming, and knew how to work a room.

Norma was born on April 8, 1931, in Payson, Utah, to Lee and Lisle (Cloward) Thomas. She was the third of four children. Though she was raised in Salt Lake, some of her most treasured memories were spent in Payson with her beloved grandmother, Laura. She even spent a school year helping her grandmother after a foot injury. They were very close and she loved cooking with her and especially loved how proud her grandmother was of her ironing skills

Norma was an accomplished seamstress and sewed all of her own clothes in high school. She even created custom labels with the name “Noreé” (a combination of her first and middle names) to sew into each piece. She worked at ZCMI and used her earnings to buy fabric. She also loved needlepoint and golf. She once won a golf trophy, which she jokingly said made her father more proud of her than he’d ever been.

Norma had many friends in school and dated the star football player, Bruce B., to whom she was briefly married. He was always her first love.

In 1951, she married Rodney Cook. Together they had four children. Rodney’s military service took their family across the world. Norma’s two middle children were born in Germany, where she became semi-fluent in German. She loved traveling through Europe and buying beautiful clothes in Italy. They also lived in California, Colorado, Louisiana, Idaho, and Oregon, where they eventually put down roots. Her children still live there today, and all six of her grandchildren were born there. They will always remember her for her beef stroganoff and refrigerator cakes on their birthdays.

On July 19th 1978, she married George Simmons. The two were later sealed in the Temple. Together they moved to Utah, where she built many lasting friendships, both old and new. She loved spending time with her sisters and brother and briefly worked at her brother’s printing business.

Norma spent many years living in Holladay, Utah, where she enjoyed planning and attending ward parties with her sister Shirley. In 2004, she moved to Draper, Utah, to be closer to her great-grandchildren. She loved living in Suncrest, where she had many dear friends and was loved by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Cindy; her granddaughter, Elora; her grandson, Vegen; her sister, Shirley (Clint); her sister, Virginia (Andy); and her brother, Lynn.

Norma is survived by her husband, George Simmons; her children, Michele Cook (Patrick), Brad Cook, and Patrice Nelson (Kip); seven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren, Stepson Shawn Simmons (Katie) and 2 step-granddaughters.

A special thank you to everyone at Orchard View Assisted Living for the kind and loving care they provided.

A private family memorial will be held at the Payson City Cemetery