Simone Sorauf

In Loving Memory
Simone Sorauf, 95, wife of James Sorauf of Durham, NC, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025. She was born in Kessel-Lo, Belgium, to the late Guilaume Neuts and Godelieve Neuts-Brigue. Her memory will forever be one of resilience, courage and love for her family and friends. Simone is survived by her husband James, daughter Christine Dayton and her husband Dave, daughter Cathy Cusack and her husband Don, grandchildren Matthew, Elizabeth, Maggie and Patrick, and nieces Monique Neuts and Liliane Hermans, their families and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Family and Personal Life
Simone was born and raised in Kessel-Lo and Leuven, Belgium, where she learned the value of family, education and developed a passion for learning languages. She had a brother, Emile Neuts, eight years her senior. Simone, her mother, and brother Emile lived long lives, all well into their 90s.
From a young age, Simone showed great aptitude for learning languages, speaking Flemish, French, German and English fluently. She could also get by in Italian and Spanish! Simone was well traveled, especially in Europe where her father, as a railroad bookkeeper, had free first-class tickets to France, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
Simone attended high school at the provincial Normal School, training to be an elementary school teacher. She was a proud college graduate of the Higher Normal School in Brussels, where she spent three years majoring in History, Dutch Literature and French, receiving a degree in Education. Simone attended school at a time that was particularly hard for Belgians, given the bombings by allied and German forces, and the occupation of Belgium by the Germans in WWII. Simone spent much of the war traversing Belgium and France looking for safe harbor. But this adversity built Simone's character, one of resilience and courage, making the decision to apply for, and receive, a grant from American Fulbright Foundation to teach high school French in Union, NJ. She created a life in a new country at a time when it was uncommon for an unmarried woman to move far away from home. It was at a Brussels Fulbright 'get acquainted' party where Simone met an American PhD student, Jim Sorauf.
Simone married James Sorauf in 1962 in Lawrence KS, one year after emigrating to the US. She became the daughter in-law Frank Sr and Mary Sorauf always dreamed of. Simone and Jim had two children, Christine and Cathy. They were married for 63 years spending many of their years in Binghamton, NY but also in Tarpon Springs, FL and Durham, NC at Croasdaile Village.
Career and Achievements
With her education degree and love of language, Simone first taught history in a small town in Limburg (Eastern province of Belgium) and then taught French in the Middle School at Sint Truiden. Simone went on to teach French in Union, NJ and the Hillel Academy in Vestal, NY. She even taught her fellow residents at Croasdaile Village. Simone gave her time and talent and left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of learning from her.
Passions and Interests
Simone's interests did not rest with languages. Simone was an avid painter, painting many scenes such as her beloved Honeymoon Island (Florida) and all the houses she and her children lived in. Her paintings are pieces of art that will be cherished for many years, passing her work on to the next generation. Simone was also involved in charity work such as teaching English as first language, caring for refugees and volunteering for the local library. Lastly, Simone was a great cook and could make almost anything taste good, even her famous 'concoctions'.
In Memoriam
Simone's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday August 23, 2025 at 1 PM at the Croasdaile Village Chapel. The Croasdaile Village Chapel is located at 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Durham NC 27705 (you will need to enter the retirement community through the guard gate off of Croasdaile Farm Parkway). The Chapel is located near the main entrance (the guard will guide you to the correct location). Please call 919-384-2000 if you need additional information on the Celebration of Life location.
The Celebration of Life will be followed by light refreshments in the Croasdaile Village Dining Room.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the charities below in Simone's honor.
› Durham Rescue Mission, Durham NC, http://durhamrescuemission.org
› St Joseph's Indian School, Chamberlain, SD, https://www.stjo.org/
› Gabbie Gifford PAC, http://giffords.org
Rest in peace, Simone/Mom/Grandma, you will be deeply missed but never forgotten.