Eloise Simmons Duff
1926 - 2022
LA JOLLA —
Eloise Vermillion Simmons Duff, our sister, mother, grandmother, stepmother, greatgrandmother, friend and community leader died peacefully in her sleep on November 6, 2022, simply due to complications of being 96 years young. She had spent the previous day with most of her family and extended family at her side; she died knowing their love.
We say “96 years young” because in her last few years she was profoundly puzzled, if not bothered with her aging, “after all”, she would pronounce, “I did it all right!” And she did. She ate properly and swam ocean mileages courageously, attended and supported San Diego's symphony and opera, and gave of her time, energy and financial support to many of San Diego's science and cultural institutions most notably: La Jolla's Athenaeum Music Arts Library, La Jolla Symphony and Chorus, San Diego Symphony and San Diego Art Gallery. She was president of both La Jolla's Athenaeum Music and Arts Library and the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus. For a third of her life (31 years) Eloise was a much-loved docent at the San Diego Art Museum.
She started “doing it right” at a very young age. Born to Judge Edward L. Simmons and Dane Vermillion Simmons (English professor) on a farm in Centerville Iowa on August 18, 1926 in the middle of the Great Depression when “doing it right” was a matter of just getting by; doing family and farm chores, getting to and from school (at times on ice skates) after school chores and, of course, homework. When she was told she was too young to learn to drive a car, she learned to fly instead, and later joined the Civil Air Patrol which, at times during World War II, would have her guard the airport by patrolling the perimeter with a wooden gun.
Her father wanted her to attend Law School, which she eschewed in favor of a B.A. in Art and Phi Betta Kappa from the State University of Iowa in 1948 and graduate work at the University of Southern California 1948-1949. After graduation, she “couldn't wait to leave the farm” and headed to New York City where she began her commercial art career as Art Director for the National Office of the Girl Scouts USA.
She later married a hometown sweetheart LCDR Jack Stiverson and they settled in La Jolla in 1960, bearing two children Dane and Eric. Her parents joined her in La Jolla in 1963. In San Diego, she was an Art Director for Mitchell Manuals, Rohr Industries Inc. and several printing firms.
She started ocean swimming at the behest of friend and physician Dr. Robert Orr in the early 1970's, obtaining a 2nd and 5th place in the La Jolla Rough Water Swim (LJRWS), and in so doing, left a legacy of family swimmers.
She “did it right” again when she married Russel E. Duff in 1984. This led to many years of traveling together, serious travel; the magnetic North Pole, Antarctica and almost everywhere in between. This union also brought in a whole new extended family with Russ's children and grandchildren whom she loved very much.
Part of “doing it right” was documenting such by authoring, illustrating and self-publishing three books: A Place in Time Iowa 1930-1944 (2008), Regarding Water (LJRWS other aqueous endeavors) (2010) and Where We Went (travelogue, 19862007) (2013); all published by “Eloise Press”. The first two books were hand crafted by Eloise with covers and paper she made herself.
Yes, you “did it right” Mom! Nobody else in the family has made it to 96! We love you, miss you and will honor your legacy, inspiration, courage and commitment to “Doing it Right”!
Eloise was preceded in death by her husband Russ Duff and brother Lee Simmons. She is survived by her brother Bill Simmons and wife Gigi; children Dane Hickerson and husband Neale, Eric Stiverson; grandchildren Marc and Stephanie Hickerson, Kale and Carly Stiverson; greatgrandchild River and her extended Duff Family.
Services will be held at 1:30 on Saturday March 18, 2023, at El Camino Memorial Park, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road San Diego, CA 92121 (858-453-2121) followed by a Celebration of Life (with eulogies) at the Athenaeum Music & Arts
Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla CA 92037 (858) 454-5872.
A private family memorial “Swim-Out” and picnic will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Athenaeum Music & Arts Library; 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla CA 92037 (858) 454-5872 in care of Eloise Simmons Duff.