Simone moved to Saint John as a child in 1930 and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School and St. Vincent’s Girls High School.

At St. Vincent’s, Sister Brendan introduced her to a life-long love of books. After high school, Simone went to the Modern Business College and later worked at Calp’s, as a private secretary until 1949.

On October 31, 1949, Simone became an army wife when she married Max Walker and they moved to Dawson Creek, BC on their first posting with the Canadian Armed Forces.

Simone worked at the Daily Gleaner in Fredericton, and for several firms and organizations in Saint John, including Guss, Taylor and Gregory, Family Court, and finally at the Office of the Rentalsman until her retirement.