Jean Simon
October 16, 2022

JEAN BUSIS SIMON: Jean Busis Simon passed away on October 16, 2022, at home in Sarasota, Florida. She was 96. Jean’s parents, David and Esther Busis; her husband, Harvey Simon; and her brother, Sidney Busis (Sylvia) preceded her in death. Jean is survived by her sons, Kenneth (Janet Hahn), Edward, and Donald (Lea Black) Simon; her grandchildren, Eliza Simon (Micah Ratner), Jessica Daigle (Mark), and Zachary Simon (Lauree Tu); and her great-grandchildren, Caleb and Nathan Simon-Ratner, and Alexander and Claire Daigle. Jean was born in Pittsburgh and lived there until she retired and started spending winters on Longboat Key, Florida with Harvey. She graduated from Peabody High School and attended the University of Michigan and the University of Pittsburgh, earning a BA and an MA in education. Jean loved learning, reading, and sharing her knowledge. She taught kindergarten and first and second grade for more than 25 years in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, notably at Liberty, Fulton, and Davis elementary schools. After retiring in 1987, Jean became an expert on dinosaurs and led tours for schoolchildren at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. She also shared her passion for plants and flowers as a tour guide in Rodef Shalom’s Biblical Garden and at Selby Gardens in Sarasota. Jean traveled widely with her friends and husband until his death in 2000, and later with her companion, Sidney Simon, visiting nearly every state and more than 40 countries. Jean was especially devoted to her family and friends. She regularly visited and hosted her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Warm, optimistic, and interested in others, Jean maintained lifelong friendships and made new friends easily. Jean loved to entertain, to garden and arrange flowers, to play social and competitive Bridge (earning a Life Master), and to play Mahjong. She regularly attended the symphony, theater, and ballet.  No matter how busy Jean was, she always found time to volunteer, including for Hadassah, Rodef Shalom, Selby Gardens, and the Fund Shop at Plymouth Harbor. Services at Rodef Shalom Temple, 4905 Fifth Avenue (at Morewood) on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 11 AM. Visitation at Temple one hour prior to service (10-11 AM). Interment private. Shiva will also be at Rodef Shalom Temple on Thursday, October 20, 2022, with services at 7 PM. A Celebration of Life at Plymouth Harbor in Sarasota, Florida will take place on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jean’s memory may be made to Rodef Shalom’s Biblical Garden, Hadassah, or the Plymouth Harbor Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. www.schugar.com

Condolences

My deepest sympathies. What a wonderful person and good friend Jean was to my Mom(Irene) and Dad(Carl) as was Harvey. May her memory be for a blessing.

Dear Don and Lea So sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved mother, Jean. She was such a gracious and lovely person, always making those around her feel privileged to know her. I’m sure she will be greatly missed by you and her many family members and friends. With deepest sympathies, Sandy