Dates

• Existence: 1925-1999

Biography

Eleanor (Ellie) Simmons was born April 1, 1925, in Des Moines, to Frederick and Dorothy (Ashby) Pownall. She moved with her family to Iowa City, where she was raised and educated, graduating from University High School in 1943. She was awarded a bachelor's of arts degree in fine arts from the University of Iowa in 1947. She married John E. Simmons the same year.

They moved to Philadelphia in the late 1940s, where she did editorial work for the Ladies Home Jounal. They later moved to Ithaca, N.Y in 1954, where she began her career as a writer and illustrator of children's books. In 1960, they moved to Chicago for a year before returning to Iowa City in 1961, where her husband was Director of Publications for the University. She continued to write and paint for over 30 years.

Mrs. Simmons died on October 22, 1999, at the age of 74. She was survived by two children, Fred Simmons and his wife, Donna, of Iowa City, Mary Simmons of Boston, Mass.; and her sister, Dorothy Pownall of Iowa City.

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