Karolyn Simon

Karolyn Webster Simon of Sacramento passed away on August 21, 2018. She was 77. Born in Olean, New York, Karolyn was the daughter of Dr. F. Gerald and Jean Geuder Webster. She was the beloved wife of Dr. Gerald Edward Simon for 54 years. They have resided in Sacramento since 1973. Karolyn graduated in 1963 from University of Rochester, New York, with a License to Practice Nursing. In 1967, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree followed by a Master's Degree in Biology from the Southern Connecticut State College. A dynamo in local government, Karolyn was a pioneering leader in the environmental movement of the 1970's. With the founding of the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS), seven local nonprofits were initially united to protect air quality, waterways, wildlife and open space in the region. Karolyn's organizational skills and powers of persuasion gave voice to local groups and individuals who normally didn't stand a chance against powerful special interests. She effectively lobbied the City and County to protect farmland from sprawling urban growth and introduced the concepts of urban limit lines, transit oriented development and mixed retail and residential use in urban areas. The Sacramento Bee named Mrs. Simon as the third most influential local government lobbyist in 1980, a spectacular achievement for an unpaid community activist. She was an early proponent of the American River Parkway and Sacramento Tree Foundation and served on the County Planning Commission, the City-County Housing and Redevelopment Commission, and Sacramento Employment and Training Agency. Karolyn was Chair of both the City Parks Commission and Private Industry Council and was elected 21 years straight as Chair of the American River Flood Control District. The boardroom of the ARFCD is named in her honor for her 23 years of service. Karolyn was a visionary in pushing for conversion of the City landfill into a park several decades ago. The 172-acre park is now named Sutter Landing Regional Park, and the trailhead of the Two Rivers Bike Trail at Sutter Landing was named for her in recognition of her years of service to Sacramento and its parks. She also chaired the board of Gifts to Share, a non-profit organized to support City recreation, parks and neighborhood improvement. Karolyn was especially proud of her work in support of and as a volunteer instructor at Saint John's Shelter for Women and Children, including Plates restaurant. Karolyn turned her love of knitting and crocheting into a supportive women's knitting guild and her intricate creations won several blue ribbons in the California State Fair. In addition to helping numerous people get elected to local office and appointed to important boards, Karolyn was an ardent supporter of women who ran for City Council and the Board of Supervisors in the '70's, '80's and '90's. They include Mayor Anne Rudin, County Supervisor Illa Collin, City Council representatives Lynn Robie and Lyla Ferris and Mayor Heather Fargo. Karolyn and the women she befriended and mentored represent the very definition of public service without expectation of private gain. In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by her three sons: Dr. Nathaniel F. Simon, Police Captain Joshua E. Simon, and Gabriel H. Simon, EdD., and by 4 granddaughters and 2 grandsons. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the St. John's Shelter for Women and Children in Sacramento, CA (saintjohnsprogram.org/)