Ann Simko

Ann Simko, of Crofton, MD., returned to the Lord on December 23, 2022, after a long battle with lung cancer. She was born June 15, 1926, in Allison, PA. to Paul Rudolchick and Mary Klish Rudolchick, the fifth of eight children. Her family lived in several southwestern PA coal-mining towns before moving to McKees Rocks, PA. in March of 1940. In 1944, Ann graduated from high school in McKees Rocks, where she met her future husband, John J. Simko, an immigrant from Drienov, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). After John returned from World War II Army Air Force service in the Pacific Theatre, he and Ann were married in St. Mary’s Church, McKees Rocks, on January 29, 1947. Their first son, Steven, was born in August 1948, also in McKees Rocks. Ann was a dedicated Air Force military wife and mother. She and family accompanied John to Andrews AFB, Maryland. During this assignment their second son, James, was born in July 1955, at Bolling AFB, DC. Other assignments Ann and family accompanied John included Scott AFB, Illinois, Tachikawa AFB, Japan-with a visit to Okinawa and Taiwan, Eglin AFB, Florida, and Ft. Miley/Hamilton AFB, California. In California, their third son, John J. Simko Jr., was born in June 1964. In June, 1965, the Simko family returned to live in Maryland, when Ann’s husband John was assigned to the Pentagon. He retired from the Air Force, then, after 15 years working for the Veterans Administration, retired from civil service. Her non-military travels included much of the eastern seaboard of the U.S., as well as the Great Lakes, Dakotas, Wyoming, eastern Canada, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and a visit with son James and husband John Sr. to John’s birthplace in eastern Slovakia. Her husband, John Simko Sr., died in June 2014. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her parents and her seven siblings. She is survived by her sons—Steven Simko (Joan) of Lewes, DE., James Simko of Odenton, MD., and John Simko Jr. (Ann Marie) of Alexandria, Virginia, as well as grandchildren Joseph P. Simko and Amy E. Simko, step-grandchildren Paul Caccia (Beatriz) and Tammy Scaife, step great-grandchildren Clint Caccia and Arran Scaife, as well as numerous nephews and nieces. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Louis Catholic Church, 2907 Popkins Lane, Alexandria, Virginia 22306, on Friday, December 30, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery next to her late husband John Simko Sr., on Friday, March 10, 2023 at 3PM In lieu of flowers, a gift in memory of Ann Simko may be made to The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

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Ann Simko

June 15, 1926 - December 23, 2022