Carolie R. Simone, wife of RIT President Emeritus Albert J. Simone, died on Jan. 9, 2026, after suffering a stroke shortly before Christmas. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Carolie's life centered around her beloved family. She loved deeply her four daughters, one son, four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and their spouses. She thought of and contacted them every day, never missing a birthday, anniversary, or holiday. Her partner in life, Albert J. Simone, supported her every way he could. They were an inseparable team, being married for 66 years after four years of steady dating. She was 88 years old.
Throughout her 15 years as a member of the RIT community, Mrs. Simone embraced the Deaf community at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), taking an active role in the college. She also set aside much time connecting with members of the NTID and RIT communities, including arranging lunches and other social occasions. The Carolie R. Simone Endowed Scholarship at NTID was created to provide financial support to qualified deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
Mrs. Simone also joined the board of directors at Rochester School for the Deaf and was board president from 2004 to 2005. She also served as past president of RIT's Women's Council and, in 2006, the Simones were named honorary alumni at the university's first President's Alumni Ball. Albert J. and Carolie R. Simone Plaza and Circle, located near Eastman Hall and the Sentinel, were dedicated in 2007 in their honor.
Notes of condolence can be posted to her obituary found here: https://www.weldonfuneralhome.com/obituaries/carolie-simone. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Carolie R. Simone Endowed Scholarship at NTID http://www.rit.edu/giving/CarolieSimone.