Living

Lessons on Life From a Centenarian

By Maureen Cavanaugh / KPBS Midday Edition Co-Host, Thomas Fudge / Science and Technology Reporter

Published December 1, 2008 at 7:48 AM PST

This story was published more than 16 years ago.

San Diegan Laura Simon turned 103 last November. In 1905, the year of her birth, Teddy Roosevelt was president and women did not have the right to vote. More than a century later, Simon has lived through 19 presidents, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and a technical revolution that continues to boggle the mind. We'll talk with Simon about the biography she wrote at age 100, and with her playwright son, Mayo Simon.

Maureen Cavanaugh: She remembers when the Titanic sank and about World War I. And that terrible flu epidemic of 1918. She also remembers how happy she was to learn her life story is about to be serialized on the internet.

103-year old Laura Simon has seen more of life and more changes in government, lifestyle and culture than most of us can even imagine. Born in Chicago, now living in San Diego, Laura is the mother of a family of writers, and recently became one herself. On her 100th birthday, she published a book called "I Am Still Here." In December, Tom Fudge had the pleasure of interviewing Laura Simon and her son, New York-based playwright and Academy Award-winning screenwriter Mayo Simon.

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Guests

Laura Simon, 103 year old author of "I Am Still Here."

Mayo Simon, New York-based playwright and screenwriter and Laura Simon's son.

Living

Maureen Cavanaugh

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Maureen Cavanaugh has been a familiar voice for KPBS listeners for more than 15 years, serving in a variety of capacities including announcer, host, and producer. As host of KPBS Midday Edition, Maureen has interviewed a wide range of notables, such as comedienne Sandra Bernhardt, actor John Lequizamo, author Chuck Palahniuk, composer Marvin Hamlisch, artist Robert Irwin, and designer Zandra Rhodes. But of all the interviews Maureen has conducted, her most special was with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Before joining KPBS in 1997, she worked as a news anchor for KSDO and KOGO News Radio in San Diego. While working for commercial radio stations in San Diego and in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maureen reported on both hard news and lifestyle features. Maureen has received three "Golden Mike" awards from the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California for economic reporting and breaking news. She has also received a "Best of Show" and “Best Radio Newscast” awards from the San Diego Press Club and the "Flo" Award from Public Radio Program Directors Association for Best Public Radio Announcer in a large market. Maureen is a native of Queens, New York, but after more than 20 years in San Diego she feels she qualifies as a real Southern Californian.

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Thomas Fudge

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A journalist with 30 years of experience, Tom covers science and technology stories for KPBS' platforms. He has received recognition for his outstanding work in hosting and public affairs reporting from the Unity Awards, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, and the San Diego chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

See stories by Thomas Fudge