Yvonne Simon Ringhausen | 97 | Williamsburg, VA

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It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Yvonne Simon Ringhausen at her home in Williamsburg, Virginia. She was 97 years old. Yvonne was a woman of great faith and a parishioner of many Catholic churches throughout her life, most recently at St. Bede Catholic Church. The loss of their matriarch deeply saddens the family.
Born May 6, 1928, in Hardin, Illinois, she lived an expansive and enriching life. Yvonne was a curious and adventurous child in Hardin. She married her hometown love and naval officer, Robert (Bob) Ringhausen, in 1951 and then began her life as a passionate and dedicated Navy wife where she shepherd her family across the globe with each new military assignment. She built and raised their family of seven despite the diverse and ever-changing places they called home. Whether on the lands of Taiwan, the coast of Italy, the mountains of Germany or the east and west coast of the US, Yvonne had a true gift of building a life where home was always more than a simple destination, but the family and people that inhabited it. Once Bob retired as a captain from the US Navy after 33 years of service, they settled in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where they shared their passion for traveling together by visiting: Hawaii, Alaska, New Zealand, and Australia. Bob sadly passed away in March 2000.
She took immense joy and pride in seeing the ever-growing family bloom with new members and could always be counted on to show her support by attending various recitals, concerts, plays and sporting events of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Throughout her life, she enjoyed traveling with her children and grandchildren including trips to Russia, Africa, China, Galapagos Islands, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and the list goes on. In 2008, Yvonne moved to Williamsburg Landing, Williamsburg, where she quickly made many friends and enjoyed Mahjong, casino, Rummikub, bingo, bocce ball, water aerobics, as well as donating her time to the Landing Library and residents.
Yvonne is preceded in death by her husband of 49 years of marriage, Robert (Bob) Ringhausen, her parents August Simon and Beulah (Gotway), her stepmother Elois (Godar), her sister Mary Louise (Harold) Albrecht, her brother Eugene (Letha) Simon, her sister Phyllis (Joseph) Day, and Agnes the wife of Peter Simon. She is also preceded in death by her beloved granddaughter, Jennifer Paragano.
She is survived by her loving children: John (Jacklyn) Ringhausen of New Port Richey, FL; Kathryn (Vincent) Paragano of Bernardsville, NJ; Lisa (Hilton) Mason of Brunswick, GA; Mark (Barbara) of Alva, FL; and Nancy (Michael) Hehir of Yorktown, VA; her brother Peter Simon of Hardin, IL, 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild not to mention the many family members and friends who will sadly miss her.
A funeral Mass will be held at St. Bede Catholic Church in Williamsburg on February 27, 2026, at 2:00 pm. Yvonne will be buried with her beloved husband, Robert, at Arlington National Cemetery on a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: St. Norbert School, 304 French St, PO Box C, Hardin IL 62047 (parish office 618-576-2628). Condolences may be sent to the family at: The Ringhausen Family in c/o Nancy Hehir, 102 Kent Taylor Drive, Yorktown, VA 23693.
“A journey is best measured in friends and family rather than miles.”
From one of Yvonne’s favorite books: The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz.