Barbara June Simmons passed away Nov. 6, 2010 in Hilo, Hawaii after a long illness, at age 71.

Barbara moved to Aspen in the mid-’60s. She worked at Alpine Jewelers for Kurt Bresnitz before starting her own aspen leaf jewelry company in 1975. She moved to Sedona, Ariz. in 1984 and then on to Hawaii in 1988, where she has lived for the last 22 years. She still had many friends in the valley and fond memories of her days in Aspen.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Robin Simmons, who is a university professor in Miskolc, Hungary. Her two dearest friends, Sharron Faff and Jim Aiton who both lived in Aspen during that era, and were still close to her and lived nearby on the Big Island of Hawaii.

A celebration of life was held for her on Nov. 20, 2010 in Honoka’a, Hawaii, where many of her friends gathered in her honor. Barbara’s kindness, tolerance and bright light touched everyone who knew her.