Jean Simmons Day

Jean Simmons Day passed into eternal life on March 8, 2025. She was a force of nature, smart, funny, energetic and beautiful. Above all she loved her children: Ford Rivers, West Rivers, Caroline Gencdur. Then she made room for their spouses: Blair, Maddy, Ozgur and granddaughter, Eliza. With her marriage to Richard, she added to her family with much-loved stepson, Christopher Day (Sarah) and step-grandson, Samuel. She is survived by her beloved and devoted husband, Richard P. Day, MD, Phd.

Jean was a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Her profession was a source of great pride and satisfaction. She touched many lives and created close friendships during this time of her life.

Jean was born in Greenville, SC in 1959 to West and Ruth Simmons, now deceased. She graduated from Greenville HS in 1977, excelling academically and athletically. Following high school, she attended the University of Georgia for one year before moving to Charleston to begin work at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). While working at MUSC, she completed her BSN in 1982. In 1986, Jean completed her Nurse Anesthetist Certification and Masters Degree in Health Science.

Beyond work and her family, Jean was a gourmet cook and loved nothing more than being surrounded by family and friends around the dining room table. She also enjoyed gardening, travel, reading and the family mountain house as well as her numerous cats.

This somewhat idyllic life was curtailed in 2015 by a careless driver; however, this accident did not affect her indomitable spirit. Despite her physical difficulties, she participated in travel yoga, horseback riding, painting, and pottery. Eventually, she succumbed to the sequelae of the traumatic brain injury.

The family would like to thank Autumn Toth, her personal trainer, and Kate Barron and her team, Barron Care Management. Additionally, the family offers a special thanks to the staff of the Skilled Nursing Unit at The Villages of Summerville.

The Memorial Service for Jean Day will be held at 11:00am,on Friday, March 14, 2025, at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 67 Anson Street, Charleston, SC.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to MUSC Foundation or Pickle's People

Expressions of sympathy may be submitted or viewed online at mcalister-smith.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation ~ Mt. Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina 29464, (843) 884-3833.