On June 13, 2007, my dear friend and colleague Barbara Simon passed away peacefully at her home in Catonsville, Maryland. Barbara was a staunch supporter of the Baltimore literary arts. She loved her work as a teacher and as president of the Maryland State Poetry & Literary Society. Believing that all writers deserved a voice and a venue, she threw herself into a myriad of projects that supported and provided both: Poet’s Ink, Attic, the 3rd Sunday Reading Series at Minas Gallery, the Baltimore Book Festival, and the Maryland State Arts Council Arts in Education and Poetry OutLoud programs. A private memorial will be held for Barbara on Sunday June 17 in Annapolis, where she was born and raised. A group of us – myself, MiMi Zannino, Alan Reese, Dan Cuddy, Leslie Miller, and Karen Elliott - have compiled Barbara’s poems into a book, long overdue, for which a publication party and reading at the Baltimore Book Festival will be held. Her passion, determination, will, and devoted presence will be sorely missed and not forgotten.
In response to inquiries, the family has suggested that memorials be made either to the Maryland State Poetry & Literary Society (Drawer H, Baltimore, MD 21228) or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (2141 Rosecrans Ave, Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245).
Rosemary Klein
Executive Director
Maryland State Poetry & Literary Society
Update: Barbara's obituary appears in the Baltimore Sun for Tuesday, June 19.
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