Yvonne Swann Simon ’82 died on December 4, 2023, in Manchester, New Hampshire.

(The following was provided by Mykeeper.com in December 4, 2023:)

Yvonne Swann Simon ’82

Yvonne Swann Simon, was born on November 6, 1960, in Leeds, England, to David (Tony) A. and Anita (Anika) C. L. Swann. She died on December 4, 2023.

When Yvonne was two and a half, her English father and American mother left England, settling for her schooling in Lexington, Massachusetts. Her passion for theatrics inspired laughter and learning at any family occasion. Besides being an active member of the Hancock Church Youth Group, a hard-working student, and accomplished violinist, she won the best all-around swimmer trophy at the Sun Valley community pool.

Yvonne graduated with a BA in Biology in 1982 from Bowdoin College, where she was an integral part of the swim team. During her junior year abroad, she learned Mandarin in Taiwan. For her first job after college, Yvonne taught at The Dublin School, NH. She then explored the acting scene in New York City while working in the costume shop at Julliard. When she returned to Boston, she worked in labs at Massachusetts General Hospital, followed by a position as a science editor for Houghton Mifflin. Yvonne received a master’s degree in education from Harvard University, after which she co-founded Six Red Marbles, a company which was at the forefront of the educational software industry.

Yvonne and Les Simon moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, married in 1999 and raised their boys, Mitchell, Everett, and Oliver. Yvonne transitioned her career to Southern New Hampshire University where she was first CEO-Sr VP College of Online and Continuing Education and then chief learning architect and a founding member of the Innovation Lab and College for America. Her peers describe her as a legend, especially after she secured a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant for College for America. To learn more about her work in education please click on this interview with OnlineEducation.

Though she loved hard work, she always found time to be with her family and friends. She enjoyed hiking, kayaking, and made several trips to various huts along the Appalachian Trail. She was disciplined in her practice of yoga and meditation. She used her vivacious sense of humor to guide her as an educator. She exuded warmth and had an electric vibe that all in her midst wanted to share. Above all she was an adored and deeply loved spouse, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.

When she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer at fifty-eight years old, her bravery was exemplary. She met each day with fortitude, creating positive memories, jokes, and poems for her family and friends. She was upbeat and charismatic through all her treatments.

Her legacy is carried on by her loving husband, Les, sons, Mitchell, Everett, and Oliver, her mother, Anita, her siblings Eric and Tanya and their families, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins, many of whom reside in England, Sweden, and throughout the world. Yvonne’s kindness, joy, spontaneity, and effervescent spirit will be forever remembered and missed by all.

In honor of her love for education, story telling, theater, and art we have set up The Yvonne Swann Simon Creativity Fund. Its mission is to help NH children and youth in need of financial assistance to pursue their interests in art, film, music, photography, performance, and theater.