Simone Ann Brown

Simone Ann (Laudumiey, Donahue) Brown , age 85, passed peacefully in her
home surrounded by her family and close friends on July 7, 2023. She was born on July 25, 1937 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Yvonne (Messonnier) Laudumiey and Fernand Laudumiey, Junior.
Simone was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, John Donahue and
her second husband, Joseph Brown.

She is survived by her two loving and adoring children: her son Edward Gerard
Donahue (Cristi Jackson) and their daughters, Evelyn Simone and Eleanor Yvonne;
her daughter, Bernadette Thérèse Donahue (Cory Waters).

She is also survived by her sister Suzanne Linden (Dan), brother Fernand
Laudimiey III (Sandra), cousin Janice Topino; many nieces and nephews and two step children, Anne Marie Munson (Jeremiah) their three sons, and Joseph Brown II (Dawn).
In addition to family, Simone leaves a widely diverse, chosen “family” of friends
who cherished her.

Simone graduated from Dominican High School in New Orleans in 1955. She
entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of New Orleans in 1956. She
taught in schools in Mississippi and New Orleans. She was also assigned as a
missionary to Ilave, Peru. There she taught Aymyran children attending the
parochial school of San Miguel. In 1974 Simone returned to the states and left the convent.

Educational History

While she was in the convent, she obtained a Master’s degree in History from
Notre Dame. Upon leaving, she obtained a Master’s degree in Education from
Colombia University, and later, a Masters in Theology from the Oblate School of
Theology in San Antonio. In 1980 she traveled to Israel and
climbed Mt Siniae. Simone was a serious scholar and explored subjects
deeply, researched broadly and wrote clearly and informatively.

Teaching History after Leaving the Convent

After her move from Columbia, South America in 1974 with her husband, John
Donahue, and their two young children to San Antonio; Simone began building
an outstanding educational legacy for scores of middle schools and later expanding to college
students. She taught history at Jackson Middle School and Driscoll Middle School She was a
superb teacher and brought history alive for students. While teaching for NEISD, she became deeply involved with the American Federation of Teacher. She was an unrelenting advocate for teachers’ rights and an effective mediator in resolving teacher/administration issues.
In 1990, Simone was awarded the Leon Jaworsky Award for Excellence in
Teaching in Law-focused Education. She was an impassioned and scholarly
teacher, doing deep research and extending curriculum to a higher level of insight
for her students. Her students profited from her zeal to make her courses
meaningful to their personal lives and her challenges to develop values from
historical events. Simone was one of those teachers of whom it was said, “She
changed my life.”

After retirement from NEISD, Simone taught World Religions at the University of
Incarnate Word. This allowed her to continue her love for learning and for
teaching. She incorporated Eastern religions and Indigenous teachings into her
courses. She broadened the religious experience of many students by having
them attend religious services at churches. synagogues and mosques.

Love of travel
Simone loved to travel and did so extensively to South America, many countries in
Europe, Canada and many parts of the United States. She always traveled with
prior study and informative insight and came back with applied knowledge.
Whoever traveled with her had deepened their understanding of the culture,
geography and history of the area.

Simone the Person
Simone loved all religious studies, history, being a teacher, intellectual conversation, swimming, voracious and diverse reading, movies, and having close times with family and her many friends. She took people in and incorporated them into her world. Simone loved to dance salsa and to entertain and was renowned for her gatherings at Mother’s Day and Christmas. Her loyalty to family and friends and her integrity in all she did, were her finest qualities. Her sense of
justice was integral to all she was. She was a loyal friend, compassionate and knew no stranger. She will be deeply missed by her children, siblings and friends. The family ask that in lieu of flowers, to please support Hummingbird Hospice at 8420 Greenbrier, San Antonio, TX 78209.
This group gave Simone exceptional care at the end of her life and treated her like the queen they
thought her to be. Special recognition, love and thanks to Patti who was an exceptional caregiver!