September 29, 2023 – Br. Simeon passed away quietly this evening.

Our beloved Br. Simeon Malone passed away this evening at 7:15 PM after suffering for some years from dementia. He was always a quiet and gracious presence even when he was ill. His patience and overall good-humor survived until the end.

Br. Simeon was born on the 9th of April, 1936 in Wichita, Kansas. He entered Gethsemani on the 21st of September, 1957, at age 21. He took the habit of a laybrother six months later, on the 21st of March, 1958, made his first profession on the 25th of March, 1960, the feast of the Annunciation, and his solemn profession on the 25th of March, 1966, on the same feast. He was 87 years old, and was a monk at Gethsemani for 66 years.

He held many jobs during his time here, but some retreatants will remember him as the official driver of the monastery. He would pick up retreatants from the airport or bus station and deliver them to the abbey. He was therefore the first Gethsemani monk many people met. On a personal note, when I, Fr. Lawrence, entered the monastery nearly 20 years ago, it was Br. Simeon who picked me up and drove me here. His kind, calm manner impressed me and made me feel welcome.

He told his own story to the camera some years ago, which is posted on YouTube and linked below. Simply scroll down this page to see it. We encourage everyone to watch him talk about his time at the monastery, what it was like when he entered and how it changed over the years.

His funeral mass will be held on Monday afternoon, the 2nd of October, at 3:00 PM. We are saddened by his departure, but celebrate his arrival in heaven.