Obituary
On January 23, 2024, the music stopped playing as Mary Alice (McCluskey) Simon of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, took her final breath. A talented musician, she was in the company of family and dear friends listening and playing music in her last days.
Born October 6, 1927, at Boone County Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, Mary Alice was the youngest of 3 children of the late Willis Claybourne McCluskey and Mary Borth McCluskey. She joined brother W.C. “Buddy” McCluskey and sister Margaret McCluskey. She attended Hickman High School where she met her husband, Robert J. Simon. She attended Christian College (now Columbia College) and the University of Missouri where she graduated with a degree in music. She was married on December 26, 1949, and moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she raised her family. She and her husband traveled and lived internationally in both Brussels, Belgium and Tokyo, Japan.
In addition to her parents and siblings, Mary Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; son, Tom; and several members of the McCluskey and Simon families. She is survived by her daughters Margy Simon Darneille (Wally) and Jayne Simon Hillner (Steven Wood); son Jay Simon (Lisa); grandchildren, Jason Darneille (Anne), Meredith Darneille Camp (Bill), Jennifer Darneille Mancuso, Marshall Darneille, Trevor Hillner-Ludlow, Courtney Hillner-Ludlow, Whitney Simon Rowland (Matt), Jackson Simon, Chelsea Simon Jacobs (Darren); great grandchildren, Kayden Massih & Mary Margaret Darneille; Marshall, Robert, Allison & William Camp; Liam & Anna Catherine Mancuso; Levi & Wyatt Rowland; Walker Jacobs; sister in law Marianne Simon, Kim Simon and many loved nieces and nephews.
The family would like to give special thanks to Carole Battle Hoover for her love, friendship, and care of Mary Alice for the past two years. She brought such joy to not only Mary Alice but the entire Simon family. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. In memory of Mary Alice, please donate to the charity of your choice and/or listen to your favorite song.