WATERTOWN — It is with profound sadness and extraordinarily heavy hearts that the family of Mrs. Elizabeth “Betty” Anne (Ramizi) Simonin, a resident of Watertown for 76 years, share the news of her peaceful passing just a few years before her 100th birthday. She was the beloved widow of Mr. George Simonin, to whom she was married for 52 loving, wonderful years.

Betty was born on June, 29, 1930 in New Britain, the daughter of the late Raffaele and Maria (Retano) Ramizi. Betty shared a special life with her husband, George, on their farm, the Country Stand Farm Market. She enjoyed selling flowers, vegetables, tomatoes, pumpkins, and gourds, and was known for her green thumb—able to identify flowers, succulents, and cacti by both their Latin and common names, and to share how to grow them. She loved animals, especially dogs and cats, and enjoyed traveling with her family. She visited Canada, Vermont, Virginia, Michigan, Arizona, Florida, Washington State, and California, with favorite trips to Bryce Canyon, Zion, Olympic, the Grand Canyon, and the Everglades National Parks. Her most eye-opening trip was on Apache trail riding on the edge of the cliffs. Betty worked for many years as a nursery schoolteacher at Joshua Tree. As a devout Catholic, Betty was an active member of the Council of Catholic Women at St. John the Evangelist Church in Watertown, served as a lector, led the Tuesday evening Novena of the Blessed Mother, and was a Benedictine Oblate.

Left to honor her memory and cherish her legacy are her children: sons; David, and Stephen and his wife Natalia; and her daughter Cathy and her late husband Ronald. George and Betty were blessed with nine grandchildren: Mark, and Matthew and his wife Kortney Simonin; Philip, Nicholas, and Jonathan Simonin; and Andrew Chemistruck and his wife Victoria; Dan Chemistruck and his wife Mai; Heather Bobbitt and her husband Michael; Michael Chemistruck and his wife Karen; six great-grandsons: Owen and Cole Chemistruck; Cameron and Gabriel Bobbitt; and Cayden and Levi Chemistruck; one great-granddaughter, Izzabella Simonin; and a special “adopted granddaughter,” Mary White. Betty also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends. Betty was preceded in death by her brother, Vincent and his wife, Doris Ramizi, sisters; Rose Romeo and her husband Anthony, and Catherine Citak and her husband, Stanley.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Simonin will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint John the Evangelist, 574 Main St., Watertown, CT 06795. Those planning to attend are asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Watertown. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects and visit with Betty’s family on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Casey-O'Neill Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 742 Main St, Oakville, CT 06779. In this time of reflection, the family welcomes all who knew and loved Betty to share messages of condolence, comfort, and cherished memories. Please visit the funeral home's tribute page at www.caseyfunerals.com to connect with the family or honor their loved one’s memory with floral arrangements and other gifts.