Laura J. Sims Obituary (1926 - 2014)

Laura J. Sims, 88, of Normal, died at 2:46 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at Heritage Health in Normal.Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, IL, where visitation will be one hour prior to services. Pastor J.K. Jones will officiate. Cremation rites have been accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association. To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.She was born March 20, 1926 in Naples, Italy, daughter of Vincenzo and Letizia Rosa Sparice. She married William J. Sims on February 3, 1946 in Naples, Italy, he preceded her in death on October 18, 2011 in Pekin. She was also preceded in death by one son, James Sims and one brother, Luigi Sparice.Surviving are three daughters, Deana (Michael) Thompson of Pekin, Julie (George) Bogle of Houston, TX and Mary Jean (Michael) Meece of Virginia; three sons, Michael Sims of Joliet, Larry (Cheryl) Sims of Normal and Mark (Cherie) Sims of Pittsburgh, PA. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and two sisters, Raffaella LaRosa and Maria (Giovanni) Riccio, both of Italy.She enjoyed needlepoint, the ocean and swimming. Once the children were in school, Laura worked as an inspector of components for Rockwell in Darien, IL. When she wasnt working, she was home raising her children and providing a happy and healthy home for her family. She will be remembered by her family as a loving wife, mother, "nonna" and "pro nonna", who was a great cook.