Sylvia E. (Kaplowitz) Simon

Sylvia E. (Kaplowitz) Simon, 99, of Williamsport, passed away Friday, September 26, 2025 at UPMC Williamsport.

She was married to the late Samuel “Sam” Simon for over 70 years at the time of his death in 2019. They had a wonderful marriage and a lifetime together filled with love, humor, family, and friends.

Sylvia was born on September 1, 1926 in the Bronx, New York. She was the daughter of the late Jacob and Anna (Zimnowicz) Kaplowitz. In her formative years, she lived in the Brighton Beach section of Brooklyn, one block from the beach and a short walk down the boardwalk to Coney Island. She and her large circle of girlfriends had countless fun-filled experiences together enjoying the sights, sounds, and vibrancy of the 1930s and 1940s in Brooklyn and Manhattan, in spite of the challenging economic circumstances of the times. A devout Brooklyn Dodgers fan, she ceased following baseball in later years after the Dodgers made their infamous move to LA in the late 1950s.

Sylvia graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn and Brooklyn College. After marrying Sam in 1948, they settled in Williamsport a short time later. She was a dedicated homemaker who raised five children and yet somehow found the time to add a master’s degree in library science. As a member of Congregation Ohev Sholom for over 75 years, she was actively involved with the synagogue Sisterhood, Hadassah, and the Williamsport Federation of Jewish Charities, as well as a number of other organizations in the area, including the Juvenile Diabetes Association. Sylvia volunteered at the James V. Brown Library for many years and was a significant donor to the library and many other nonprofits and charities, locally, nationally, and worldwide, and was a strong supporter of the State of Israel. She was an avid reader, a close follower of political events, and an advocate for the rights of others. With a longtime circle of great friends in town, she was a member of “The Bridge Club” for decades. Sylvia was truly a presence with her outgoing nature, quick wit, and elegant sense of style.

Sylvia and Sam enjoyed traveling together to various destinations, including visiting Israel and Europe numerous times, the Caribbean, Canada, Alaska and many other locations in the United States, including perhaps her favorites, Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Attached by her to the kitchen refrigerator many years ago is this poem: “When we start to count flowers, we cease to count weeds. When we start to count blessings, we cease to count needs. When we start to count laughter, we cease to count tears. When we count happy memories, we cease to count years.”

Sylvia is survived by one daughter, Tricia Simon of Warrington, PA and four sons, David Simon (Ruth) of Owings Mills, MD, Larry Simon (Larissa) of Cogan Station, Ken Simon (Tina) of Morgantown, PA and Joseph Simon (Jill) of Annapolis, MD; six grandchildren, Louis Simon of Pikesville, MD, Miriam Rozenbaum (Chanan) of Brooklyn, NY, Jacob Simon (Casey) of Sacramento, CA, Noah Simon of Boston, MA, Elijah Simon of Annapolis, MD and Benjamin Simon of Cogan Station; three great-grandchildren, Jonah, Lyla and Ezra Rozenbaum of Brooklyn, NY, and special caregiver for many years, Muthoni Ndegwa. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Irving and Herbert Kaplow.

At the center of family life for so many years, she leaves a lasting legacy for three generations of the Simon family.

The funeral service was held on Monday, September 29, 2025 at the Maneval Allen Redmond Funeral Home, 500 W. 4th St., Williamsport with Rabbi Horowitz officiating. Burial followed in Ohev Sholom Cemetery, Montoursville.

In keeping with Jewish tradition, there was no viewing or flowers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the James V. Brown Library, 19 East 4th St., Williamsport, PA 17701 or to the Williamsport Federation of Jewish Charities, P.O. Box 1973, Williamsport, PA 17703.

Send Condolences at www.jamesmaneval.com.