Bebe (left) in 1999 in Kempenfelt in Barrie, Ontario with Ann Weiser Cornell (back left) Marine de Freminville (front right) and others
You can send memories of Bebe for posting here by writing to [email protected]
LEN GROSSMAN:
The following is an email that Len Grossman sent to a number of people to announce Bebe's passing. We publish it here (slightly edited) with his permission. His email included photos which are not included here.
Dear Friends of Bebe,
As you know, last Sunday was Bebe's 99th birthday and there was a party but I have sad news.
Bebe passed yesterday morning.
A few details:
Last Sunday about a dozen and a half or so of us gathered at Belmont Village, mostly from Third Unitarian Church in Chicago, where she had attended for many decades. and most of her immediate family. When I got there, Bebe was asleep in her wheelchair, and her daughter-in-law, Cynthia, was sitting with her. Nevertheless, we told stories about Bebe and shared memories.
And then we shared in a delicious cake.
Bebe did not wake up before I had to leave and apparently she slept most, if not all, of the next few days. I had printed out all of your letters and cards so I left them with Andy (lower left in the photo).
Late Thursday, I got a text from Andy, telling me that Hospice had been called back in and that she was not in any pain. I went to see her in her room on Friday. Andy and his daughter Hillary (standing next to her uncle Steve in the photo) were there.
The wonderful contact person from Hospice was also there. She explained that although Bebe was not responsive, she likely could hear what we said to her. That was comforting because Andy told us he had read all of your cards and letters to her just before I came in.
Flowers and other greetings were on display.
After Andy and Hillary left, i moved closer to Bebe and reminded her of the countless times we had focused together, sometimes more recently struggling to find a felt sense. I then gently gave her some very gentle basic focusing suggestions, kissed her on the top of her head and said good bye.
Then yesterday at about noon, I got a text from Andy with the bad news.
The family will sit shiva at Andy's house in Morton Grove next Sunday evening. If you are in the area and want more information, let me know.
They will have a memorial service for her in the spring.
Andy also asked me for information about contributing to The Focusing Institute in her memory to include in her obituary.
And to end on an upbeat note, here are a few seconds of Bebe at her birthday celebration 5 years ago.
Bebe -dancing to "All of Me" - YouTube
Hello, Hello,
Len
Bebe with Atsmaout Perlstein (left) and Marine de Freminville (right) in Old Quebec City after the 20th International Focusing Conference in 2008
MARINE DE FREMINVILLE:
Dear Friends Focusers and dear Colleagues Coordinators,
I want to honor the memory of my dear friend Bebe, who I met in 1988 and became my Focusing partner for a few years.
We had so much good time. We even went to visit her, with my husband and my son from Montreal by car then by train (11 hours) from Toronto to Chicago (Oak Park). Later she came to visit us: Thérèse Fortier and some friends, here in Montreal. She enjoyed our 2008 International Focusing Conference in the Montreal area and the post Conference
trip to Betsiamites, experiencing First nations sweat lodge.
It was in 2018, in Niagara Falls Focusing Retreat with Jan Winhall and her group, that we could meet each other for the last time. I thank and say bravo to all the people around her who contributed to help her to live and teach with passion Focusing which became the center of her life, including her family and the various groups around her.
I thank her from the bottom of my heart for all that she brought to us, sending her my prayers.
Thank and Love to you dear Bebe, sure you could present Focusing to the other world!
Marine de Freminville
P.S. Since her “great Departure”, surprisingly I received 2 warm messages from people I was no more connecting with since many years as if she was the invisible mediator recreating the connections. Thank you dear Focusing ambassadress.
Bebe Simon and Marine de Freminville in 2018, At the Niagara Falls "Follow Your Flow" TIFI Retreat.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE BULLETIN OF BEBE'S CHURCH:
Dear Members and Friends,
We are writing to let you know that our beloved member, Bebe Simon, died peacefully in her sleep at Belmont Village yesterday.
Some members of our congregation were able to join Bebe and her family one week ago to celebrate her 99th birthday.
Bebe has been a member of our congregation for 14 years. She remained very active throughout her life, and continued to work at a doctor's office into her early '90s. She loved jazz music, dancing, and teaching with the International Focusing Institute, helping her students discover gifts of inner wisdom. Bebe was a treasured friend to many and will be deeply missed.
Bebe is survived by her three children and their families. Please continue to hold them in your hearts during this tender time. A memorial service will be planned this spring; we will keep you posted as plans are confirmed.
Cards and remembrances may be sent to Bebe's son:
Andrew Simon
(NB: We've edited out his address; please write to the TIFI office if you'd like the family's contact information.)
Please know our Pastoral Associates and I are available to you. If you would like support, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Sending much love,
Rev. Colleen
BEBE'S OBITUARY IN THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Bernice Simon
Bebe, as she was known to all, faded away shortly after her 99th birthday. She was robust into her nineties, working one day a week, staying active in the Third Unitarian Church of Chicago, and especially staying connected with her friends by phone and through visits. Born in Philadelphia, she and her husband Herman Simon moved to Chicago for a business opportunity, and it was there that they raised their family. She didn't have the opportunity to go to college, but once her children were all in school she earned a Bachelor's degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago. She was widowed in 1977 and went to work in the office of her gynecologist. Some years later she discovered Focusing, an emotional self-help technique which she discovered she had a remarkable aptitude for teaching. She attended the international Focusing conference for many years. The friends and admirers from many countries who she met through Focusing enriched her life immeasurably. When Bebe was in her 90's, one of those friends even helped her write a book about how she taught Focusing. Sadly, dementia stole her quality of life. She moved into a memory care facility 4 1/2 years ago, but stayed connected to her friends by phone until a stroke took her ability to converse.
She is survived by her daughter, Darah Petersen (the late Jeffrey), her sons Steve (Cynthia Marcucci), and Andy (the late Laurie), her grandchildren Jeffery (Gina) Petersen, Hillary, and Eric, and her great-grandson Owen Petersen. She wanted no funeral, but a memorial service is planned for some time in the Spring. Donations in her name can be made to the International Focusing Institute 15 N. Mill St. Suite 210, Nyack, NY 10960 or at Focusing.org
Shiva information can be found at Chicagoland Cremation Options.
Published by Chicago Tribune on Jan. 26, 2024.