* Cynthia Simmons; Chief Deputy Tax Collector

Cynthia Marie Simmons of Ventura, who worked with the Ventura County tax collection department for 22 years and was a member of several local PTAs, died Sunday from cancer. She was 51.

Born March 20, 1946, Simmons was a lifelong resident of Ventura. She attended the Academy of St. Catherine, where she was senior class president and queen of the senior prom.

After attending Sawyer Business College in Ventura County, she began work in the tax collection department, where she was eventually promoted to chief deputy tax collector and became a member of the department’s management staff. She developed computer programs, including those now used for unsecured collections.

In May 1993, she earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of La Verne.

Family members said Simmons was known for her unselfish nature and willingness to help anyone in need.

“Everyone who I’ve talked to said they’ve lost their best friend,” said Simmons’ daughter, Rose Marie Frame of Ventura. “She was everyone’s best friend.”

Simmons enjoyed baking for school functions, planning business get-togethers and family functions, and dressing up as the Easter bunny or Santa Claus for family holiday gatherings. She also served as a swimming instructor for the Special Olympics and helped serve meals to the homeless.

In addition to Frame, Simmons is survived by her mother, Mattie Richards of Santa Paula; her former husband, Robert Guy Simmons of Corona del Mar; daughter June Marie Richardson of St. George, Utah; sisters Carolyn Tullberg of Santa Paula, Claudia Morrison of Thousand Oaks, Eleanor Brown of San Mateo, Marcela Baxley of Chico and Theresa Bulla-Richards of Ojai, and three grandchildren.

Simmons was preceded in death by her sisters, Marilyn Richards and Roberta Soprano, and her father, Clark Croll Richards.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. today at the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Chapel, Ventura, followed by recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Ventura. Graveside services will follow at Santa Paula Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any charity.