HR0562 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0562 LRB104 16427 ECR 29818 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Nedda Jane Simon, who passed away on October 1, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Nedda Simon, the daughter of Benjamin and Lucille (Baker) Jefferson, was born in Clayton on December 29, 1932; she graduated from Clayton High School in 1950; she received her bachelor's degree in Speech and English from Northwestern University in 1954; she married Donald Howard "Don" Simon at the Federated Church in Clayton on June 12, 1955; and

WHEREAS, Nedda Simon taught English and staged plays at Princeton High School; after taking time to raise her three daughters, she returned to teaching at Manlius High School and Princeton High School; she also served as a certified alcohol and drug counselor at Quad County Counseling Services for more than 20 years before opening a private practice; and

WHEREAS, Nedda Simon was the founder of Freedom House, a 24-hour, 32-bed agency staffed by trained professionals that serves victims of domestic and sexual violence across five Illinois counties; over the past 40 years, her organization has helped more than 30,000 women and their families; and

WHEREAS, Nedda Simon hosted a WZOE radio show, Conversations with Nedda, ran a public speaking practice, Dynamic Alternatives, and wrote a monthly column for the Bureau County Republican; she also self-published Wired for Hope with co-author Pam Horowitz and created greeting cards in collaboration with Diana Whitney; and

WHEREAS, Nedda Simon was a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, where she served as choir director and as a member of the church council; she was a former member of the Bureau County Fair Queen Pageant, the Princeton Women's Club, the Princeton-Illinois Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Elks Club, and the Bureau Valley Country Club; and

WHEREAS, Nedda Simon was honored numerous times for her service, including receiving the Robert L. Sorensen Summit Award in 1994, the State Conservationist's Choice Award of the National Resources Conservation Service (NCRS) in 2002, the Prairie Rivers Resource Conservation and Development President's Award in 2003, the Prairie Arts Council Lifetime Achievements in the Arts Award in 2011, and a Recognition for Dedication to Community Service to the Galena Trail and Coach Road Society in 2013, being recognized as an Illinois Valley Living's Woman of Distinction in 2013, and being featured for establishing Freedom House in Northwestern University's Alumni Class of '54 Notes in 2022; she and her husband were further honored when the Covenant Children's Home Nelson Chapel was rededicated as the Nedda J. and Donald H. Simon Conference Center in 2023; and

WHEREAS, Nedda Simon was a trained soprano and performed throughout high school and college, including with the Springfield Opera; she and her husband enjoyed traveling, exploring the United States, Africa, England, Germany, France, Canada, Jamaica, Mexico, and the Cayman Islands; they also enjoyed being snowbirds in Treasure Island, Florida; and

WHEREAS, Nedda Simon was known as a strong, intelligent, outspoken, humorous, and energetic person who carried a deep passion for community, education, wanderlust, conservation, spirituality, and searching for insight into the human condition; and

WHEREAS, Nedda Simon was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Donald; her parents; and her siblings, John Jefferson and Carol Henry; and

WHEREAS, Nedda Simon is survived by her daughters, Lori (Michael) Nelson, Connie (John) Angelo, and Julie (Dennis) Grady; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Nedda Jane Simon and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Nedda Simon as an expression of our deepest sympathy.