Nedda Jane (Jefferson) Simon

Nedda Jane (Jefferson) Simon, 91, passed October 1, 2024, at Liberty Village, Hawthorne Inn, Princeton, Illinois, surrounded by her family.  Nedda was born on December 29, 1932, in Clayton, Illinois, the daughter of Benjamin and Lucille (Baker) Jefferson.  She graduated from Clayton High School in 1950.   Nedda was a trained Soprano and performed throughout high school and college, including with the Springfield Opera.

Nedda completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and English at Northwestern University in 1954. After graduation, she taught English and staged plays at Princeton High School.

She married Donald Howard Simon on June 12, 1955, at the Federated Church in Clayton, Illinois.  They celebrated 67 years of marriage prior to Don’s passing in 2022.

Nedda was a member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church and served as choir director and on the church council.

Nedda raised her three daughters while Don farmed land in Dover and Princeton townships.  She returned to teaching at Manlius and Princeton High Schools.  For over 20 years, Nedda provided services as a certified alcohol and drug counselor in Quad County Counseling Services, then began a private practice.  During this time, she had a WZOE radio show, “Conversations with Nedda”, public speaking practice, Dynamic Alternatives, and a monthly column for the Bureau County Republican.

Nedda is most known as the founder of Freedom House, a 24-hour/32-bed agency, staffed by trained professionals, serving victims of domestic and sexual violence in five Illinois counties.  Over the past 40 years, Freedom House has served over 30,000 women and their families. In 2023, she was honored along with Don, during a rededication of the Covenant Children’s Home Nelson Chapel as the Nedda J. and Donald H. Simon Conference Center.

Nedda has been honored at the state level for her service, including the 2002 State Conservationist’s Choice Award of the National Resources Conservation Service (NCRS), the 2003 Prairie Rivers Resource Conservation and Development President’s Award, and 2013 Recognition for Dedication to Community Service to the Galena Trail and Coach Road Society.

Locally, she has been recognized for her “Commitment to Community” with the 1994 Robert L. Sorensen Summit Award, the 2011 Prairie Arts Council Lifetime Achievements in the Arts Award, and as a 2013 Illinois Valley Living’s Woman of Distinction.

She was also a former member of the Bureau County Fair Queen Pageant, Princeton Women’s Club, and Princeton-Illinois Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Nedda was featured in the 2022 Northwestern University’s Alumni Class of ’54 Notes for her founding of “A Safe Haven” with Freedom House.  Most recently, she self-published “Wired for Hope”, with co-author Pam Horowitz and collaborated with Diana Whitney in the creation of greeting cards.

She and Don were former members of the Elks Club and Bureau Valley Country Club.

Nedda and Don traveled extensively in the United States, Africa, England, Germany, France, Canada, Jamaica, Mexico, and the Cayman Islands.  For years, they enjoyed being snowbirds in Treasure Island, Florida.

She will be remembered as a strong woman, intelligent, outspoken, humorous, energetic, with a compassion for community, education, wanderlust, conservation, spirituality, and insight into the human condition.

She is survived by her daughters, Lori (Michael) Nelson of McHenry, Connie (John) Angelo of Algonquin, and Julie (Dennis) Grady of Princeton, granddaughters Rachel (Greg) Hansen of Palatine, Bree Angelo (Dan Kita) of Chicago, and grandson Nick (Erin) Angelo and great grandsons Lucas, Jacob and Cameron Angelo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother John Jefferson, and sister Carol Henry.

The visitation will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024  from 4-7 p.m. at the Nedda J. and Donald H. Simon Conference Center, 440 Elm Place, Princeton, Il 61356. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at St. Matthews Lutheran Church of Princeton at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Scott Schmidt officiating.  A visitation will be held from 10 – 11 a.m. at the church prior to the service.  A private burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent to www.grant-johnsonfh.com.

Memorials may be directed to Freedom House or donor’s choice.