Mary Ellen Curd Simon's Obituary
Mary Simon, 95, passed away at 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2011 in Memorial Hospital in Carbondale. She was born July 12, 1915 to Harlan and Margaret Porter Curd in Carbondale. She married Ernest J. Simon in Champaign, IL in 1937; he died in 1989. Survivors include a son, James E. Simon (Rebecca), Champaign; three grand children, five great-grand children, and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; one son, Robert P. Simon; her sister, Dorothy Curd; and her parents. Mary attended the Southern Illinois Normal School from grade school through high school and received her B. Ed. degree there in 1936. She later received her M.A. at the University of Illinois in 1940. She taught in the Champaign Public Schools and in the University of Illinois English Department from 1936-1950. In 1950, she moved with her family to Carbondale to join the SIU community. In 1958, Mary and E. J. left for Burma on a 20 month assignment for the Ford Foundation where he served as Advisor to the Minister of Education. While there, she taught English for the Burmese American Institute and to Rangoon High School faculty. After their return, Mary joined the SIU English Department and retired in 1973. Since then she has been active in both campus and community affairs. She was a life member of the SIU and UIUC Alumni Associations, Delta Sigma Epsilon/Alpha Gamma Delta sororities, Phi Delta Kappa fraternity, and others. She was a member of the WSIU Friends Board, the Medical Literacy Board, the Saluki Volunteer Task Force, the Dorothy Morris Gardens Board, the SIU Women's Club, the SIU Annuitants' Association, the SIU Foundation Board, the Chancellors' Council, and others. And, she was a participant in the mentoring program for the Center for Basic Skills. She also was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Carbondale and served on its Board of Trustees, Deacons, and Elders; and, she was a member of Women's Club of Carbondale, PEO Chapter Kappa Zeta, and other organizations. Among her awards and honors were recognition by: the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce as the 1997 Citizen of the Year; the State of Illinois in 2001 as a Woman of Achievement; the Jackson County Chapter of the SIU Alumni Association in 2006 for its Service to Southern Illinois Award; and, she was named as one of four 2010 Southern Illinois Inspiring Women of Achievement. In 2006, she and her husband were honored with the dedication of the Ernest J. and Mary C. Simon Terrace on the SIUC Campus that marked the 50th anniversary of, and their contributions to, the College of Applied Sciences and Arts. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Carbondale at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2011 with Pastor Janice West officiating. A reception at the church will follow the service. Burial will be private. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Carbondale, 310 S. University Ave., Carbondale, 62901, or to the Ernest J. And Mary C. Simon Endowment Fund at the SIU Foundation, 1235 Douglas Dr., mail code 6805, Carbondale, IL 62901. Pyatt Funeral Home in Pinckneyville, IL is attending to burial arrangements.
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