Residents of Patamona, Region Eight are mourning the passing of 106-year-old Madeline Simon.
In a press release her eldest son, Ashton Simon, said he and his siblings are fortunate that their mother had lived to see them become adults. “Not many are that blessed and we were also fortunate she spoke with us until her final day. She has been a blessing to our lives and we are proud of her,” he said. Seven of Simon’s eight children were beside her in her final moments. She was interned after a solemn church service at the Wesleyan Church.
According to the release, in March the communities of Paramakatoi, Monkey Moun-tain, Kato, Taruka, Kaiba-rupai, Kopinang, Chenapau, Kurukubaru and others honoured Amai (Mother) Simon as their oldest resident and extended gratitude to her for her services to the community. This ceremony was held at the grand opening of a new church building in Paramakatoi.
