By Carrie Kreutz-Landry
SAN DIEGO –An enthusiastic group gathered on Friday, March 23, in the North University Community Branch Library’s Community Room, anxious to meet Laura Simon, author of the memoir I Am Still Here. She was equally as eager to meet her admirers. Smiling, posing for photos, and chatting with people, it was hard to guess that this alert and energetic woman holds the distinction of being one of America’s oldest living authors whose work is housed in the Library of Congress collection. At 106, Simon is still keeping herself busy writing and living independently at The Patrician senior residence in University City community.
Born in 1905, Laura Simon grew up in poverty in Chicago. At age 13, she had to quit school and begin working in order to help support her family. Despite the hardship she faced growing up, she has remained a positive and optimistic person, saying that she only sees “great beauty” when she looks at the world. She joked throughout the program, stating that she “only feels like [she is] 65”. She hoped to connect to her audience on a personal level and that the question and answer session would be like a chat between friends.
After a brief introduction and reading from I Am Still Here by acting Library Branch Manager, Anne Defazio, the 12 minute documentary, Laura Simon: Making Her Mark was screened. Hands were quickly raised as soon as the question and answer session began. Audience members asked Simon questions ranging from her family (she has an 83 year old son in New York and a 100 year old sister in Chicago) to whether she takes vitamin supplements for her memory. With a bit of a scoff she said that she does not take any vitamins, believing exercising her mind is the best way to keep her memory strong. Though she became fatigued as the questions continued, she was eager to press on and continue answering, only concerned with the time constraint of the program so she would be able to sign copies of her book. She lit up and her energy returned when she was asked about her painting on the cover of I Am Still Here and her works of art. She told stories about the awards that she had won for her paintings and the process she used to use to make her works of art. Though she is no longer able to paint due to her lack of a studio now that she’s is living in a senior living community, she looks back on her work with great pride.
Eager to share her life experiences, Laura Simon was reluctant to give advice, other than stressing the importance of education. She believes advice needs to be individual, based on the recipient’s own experiences and personal strength. She did make the recommendation of keeping yourself strong, optimistic and continuing to work and use your mind, which she believes to be the secret to her longevity and overall life satisfaction.
The program concluded with a personal book signing. The copies of her book that were available for purchase sold out almost immediately. If you are interested in ordering a copy of I Am Still Here at the discounted price of $20, contact Anne Defazio at the North University Community Branch Library at 8820 Judicial Drive, San Diego, CA 92122, or call 858-581-9637. 10% of the proceeds go to help support programs at the library.
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Kreutz-Landry is a staff member at the North University Community Branch Library