Susan Simon

Adoring grammie, devoted mother, gifted educator, creative genius, generous friend, tough, proud, spiritual, one-of-a-kind Susan Simon passed away after a five-year battle with lung cancer in March 2023. She is survived by her daughter Jessica, son-in-law Fred, and grandchildren, Gabriella and Ari. Her son Adam passed away from ALS in January 2024.

Susan was a lifelong painter, starting with oil paints, moving to watercolors, and finally discovering her love of encaustic painting and working in this medium for the last 10-15 years of her life. She drew inspiration from the world around her, featuring flowers and nature scenes as well as beloved dogs Sam and Zeke. She also admired the work of Wayne Thiebaud, which she translated into her work featuring cakes and pies. She had a whimsical and joyful spirit that permeated all of her work. She loved doing arts and crafts projects with her kids, and then with her granddaughter Gabriella -- proudly producing a glittered bouquet of painted marshmallows for one project. Susan was an inspired and magical teacher (her first career)– going on to run her own preschool out of her home for many years. She became “the” school in town for 2- and 3-year olds, with a long waiting list. Susan and her family relocated to Portland in 1988 for Michael’s job and Susan moved fulltime to Cannon Beach in 2000.

Susan loved giving back to the Cannon Beach community, getting involved with the Library and Art Association. Highlights for her were reading to kids at storytime and teaching at the annual art camp, which allowed her to combine her two loves –- children and art.

Susan was a devoted friend and known to many in the Cannon Beach area who came together to remember her on March 30, 2024, sharing stories of her humor, generosity, joy, compassion, and strength. For example, she offered her backyard (the second time she’d done this) for a friend’s wedding celebration and got ordained online so she could also perform the ceremony! Susan lives on in the hearts and memories of everyone she touched and shared this message for loved ones to discover at the time of her passing: “All endings are beginnings. Love is eternal and knows no ends.”

The Cannon Beach Art Gallery is showing a retrospective of Susan’s work through June 23.