C'est une triste nouvelle pour terminer l'an 2014.  

Simone Jacqueline Bailey, age 92, passed December 27, 2014. She was born June 8, 1922, in Paris, France and was the only child of Renee and Isadore Panici.

Simone has 2 surviving children, Elizabeth (Bill) Geha and Patrick (Gloria) Bailey.

Simone was a war bride and represented the "Greatest Generation." Simone survived the hardships and deprivations of living through the occupation of Paris. Following the war, Simone married an American soldier. Simone dedicated her life to her children, overcoming the struggle of immigration, language and employment to raise her children alone. Her work history culminated as an engineer for Jobst Institute. She was a longtime member of Alliance Francaise. Her son, Patrick, retired as a Major having served as an Anesthetist in the USAF. He is married to Gloria and resides in Florida. Her daughter, Elizabeth, is married to Bill Geha and lives in Sylvania. They have four children, Matt (Bridget) Geha, Mark (Rachel) Geha, Nikki (Jeff) Humason, and Ani Geha. Simone had 11 great-grandchildren. Simone's children were the celebration of her life and representative of the selfless love, dedication, and generosity that she gave of herself so that her children could accomplish all they have achieved and for which they will forever remember her.

Simone had been with the AFT since its inception and had been a Board member for many years.  She loved coming to the Entre Amis lunches.

Memorial services were held privately in the presence of immediate family. Simone would have desired any memorial offerings be made to Parkinson's Foundation of Northwest Ohio, The Toledo Humane Society, or the Alliance Francaise.

-Published in Toledo Blade on Dec. 31, 2014