Simone Suzanne (Zurfluh) Mick, 53

Simone Suzanne (Zurfluh) Mick, 53, of Coeur d'Alene, passed away Sept. 7, 2011, at home after courageously battling brain cancer for 18 years.

Simone was born July 9, 1958, in Aspen, Colo., to Hans and Gay (Anderson) Zurfluh. At the age of 10, she and her family moved to a small acreage in Carbondale, Colo., where she was surrounded by family, animals and nature. In 1976, she graduated from Roaring Fork High School where she excelled in academics, received numerous awards, competed in volleyball and continued her childhood passion for downhill skiing.

During high school, Simone began dating her close childhood friend, Rob Mick, who became her true love. A trip to Switzerland for an extended visit with Simone's family and travel by train through many European countries was their first big adventure together. When they returned from Europe, they journeyed across the country in search of a new place to live. They found their home in Coeur d'Alene where they were married on Dec. 22, 1979, in the Coeur d'Alene City Park.

Simone and Rob's greatest joy was the birth of their daughter Jenny, in February 1985. Soon after Jenny's birth, time was spent launching their dream of building a log home on several acres just outside town. Her family, home and the surrounding landscape provided happiness for the life she lived and sparked her creativity for her work as an artist, as an instructor at Artshop and her business, Tamarack Stained Glass.

Because of her love for children and learning, her most valued professional experience was her work at Bryan Elementary School as a Title 1 Teaching Assistant between 1994 and 2010. The relationships that she established with the Bryan staff were rewarding and supportive - in a sense, they were an extension of her family.

Simone was a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, artist and teacher who inspired the many lives she touched. Her cancer was trumped by the way she lived her life on a daily basis with grace, tenacity and great appreciation for her family and friends. Simone will be remembered for her gentle spirit, kindness and bravery.

She was preceded in death by her father, Hans (Johnnie) Zurfluh; grandparents, Francis William and Gussie Mae Anderson, and Hans and Suzanne Zurfluh.

Simone is survived by her husband of almost 32 years, Rob; daughter Jenny (and husband Michael Gray); mother Gay Anderson Reeves (and husband Bill); sisters, Laramie Zurfluh (and partner Tammy) and Cheyenne Zurfluh (and husband Kevin Greer); as well as many other beloved family members both in the U.S. and Switzerland; and her much-loved dogs, Ozzie and Maggie.

A celebration of Simone's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, at The Harding Family Center, 411 N. 15th St., Coeur d'Alene.

The family prefers memorial donations be made in Simone's name to Kootenai Humane Society or Hospice of North Idaho.