In Memory of Lyn Heywood Simon

Obituary

Lyn Heywood Simon, 87, of New Hartford, and recently of Arlington, MA, died April 26 at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA.

She was born August 28, 1934 in Philadelphia, PA, to Dorothea (Saurman) and James Paul Heywood. Her family later moved to Bridgeport, CT and then Utica for her father's job with GE. She graduated from Utica Free Academy, then attended Utica College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in public relations in 1956. A year later, Lyn earned a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University in Chicago. She remained in the Midwest, working for the Waterloo (Iowa) Daily Courier and United Press International's radio news bureau.

In 1961, Lyn returned to Utica where she became the women's editor of the Observer Dispatch. That year she also married Raymond Simon, professor of public relations at Utica College.

However, as an Observer Dispatch article said about her in a 1980 feature, Lyn had three careers. She was a journalist, mother to Melissa and Karen Brooke Simon, and as of 1976, an attorney. She graduated from Syracuse University College of Law and entered private practice, after which she was named the attorney to the Utica School District Board of Education. She later took a legal position at for the Oneida Herkimer Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), where she worked until her retirement.

When the Simon Convergence Media Center was opened at Utica College in 2007, its broadcast studio was named for her. In 2013, Lyn was named Outstanding Public Relations/Journalism Alumna by the Raymond Simon Institute board. She was also a member of the Utica College Women's Club, and served on the board of directors of Faxton Hospital.

Lyn was a loving wife for 56 years and with Raymond helped raise the couple’s daughters, instilling independence, curiosity and compassion.

An avid reader and sports fan, Lyn could be found at the New Hartford Library or at a Utica College basketball game -- often reading a book! Lyn also enjoyed a competitive game of bridge, and playing, and later watching, tennis.

She is survived by two daughters: Melissa Berczuk of Arlington, MA (Steve), and Brooke Candelaria of Houston, TX (Greg); a grandson, Daniel Berczuk; a sister, Jean Hollembaek of Brick, NJ, and a brother, Alan Heywood (Linda) of Remsen. Lyn also leaves many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, as well as two great-grand nieces.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Raymond Simon in 2017, as well as three brothers- and sisters-in-law (Loren Hollembaek, Herman and Yvette Simon, Morris and Jeanne Simon, and Lillian Klorman).

A service for Lyn will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 7 at Grace Church, 6 Elizabeth St., Utica, followed immediately by interment at Forest Hill Cemetery, 2201 Oneida St.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Raymond Simon Institute at Utica University, Office of Advancement, 1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY 13502.