Jeanne Simons

Jeanne Simons, 89, of Noblesville, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2020 peacefully in her home surrounded by love. She was born on February 3, 1931 to Adrian and Patricia (Ballard) Horney in Arcadia, Indiana with her twin, Joanne.

Remembered for her wit and humor, her keen mental acuity, her adventurous spirit, and fierce independence, Jeanne Simons will be profoundly missed.  She loved living alone, in what the family affectionally referred to as the “Nana cottage,” on three quarters of an acre of land that was across the lawn from her sister. For years, Joanne and Jeanne could be spotted riding their bikes together around town. Jeanne was an educated and working woman, and dedicated her life to sharing literature and poetry with generations of Hamilton County students. Always reliable for a zingy one-liner and biting statement, Jeanne’s ability to crack jokes and “keep it real” made her the darling of every gathering.

Jeanne graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1960 and was awarded a Master of Science from Butler University in 1972. Jeanne was a member of Alpha Chi Omega and the Breakfast Club for the class of 1949. She had a long and distinguished career as an English teacher at Carmel High School, where she particularly enjoyed reading Robert Frost and the Romantic British poets with students. An author in her own right, Jeanne worked through her thoughts and feelings in numerous poems and essays. Jeanne enjoyed playing the piano, playing cards, solving word puzzles, and cuddling with her cats.

Though Jeanne resided in her hometown for most of her life, she was also a world traveler and lived for some years in Germany and the Philippines. Numerous scrapbooks display pictures of the Seine and café’s in Paris, sight-seeing in Vienna, and the Colosseum in Rome. 

She is survived by her daughter, Sallilee Simons; and grandchildren, Henry and Jean Ashley Foster.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Joanne and Phillip Shafer; brother, Robert Horney; and sister, Jacqueline Neirnberger.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, July 13, 2020 at Hinkle Creek Cemetery, 21617 Hinkle Road in Noblesville.

The family requests that those attending wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Condolences: www.randallroberts.com