E.N. “Nick” Simons III

E.N. “Nick” Simons III, age 92, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, November 27, 2025.

Born in Washington, DC on August 1, 1933, he was the son of the late E. Naudain Simons Jr. and Elizabeth Dove Simons. Nick grew up attending district prep schools, graduated from Solebury School in New Hope, PA, and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Washington and Lee University. He then served in the U.S. Army in France as a Transportation Corps Officer, returning as Captain in the Army Reserves. Next, he earned his Clinical/Abnormal Psychology Master’s Degree from George Washington University. Nick continued his education at the University of Missouri, where he began his PhD in Counseling Psychology and met his true love, Wanda Morris. They married in Owensville, MO in 1964. Soon after, Nick joined the University of Delaware and Newark became home. Nick worked in the UD Counseling Center for 30 years as a counselor, mentor, teacher, and friend until his retirement in 1998. He shared a special partnership with his wife of 61 years and delighted in parenting their children.

Nick enjoyed traveling internationally as well as to family favorite Bethany Beach and spent as much time there as possible. He voraciously read mysteries and was a long-time member of a playreading group and a book club. Over the years, he enjoyed live theater, symphony orchestras and lectures, as well as hosting special parties and international students.

Nick chose to live a life of service. As an active member of St Nicholas Episcopal Church, Newark, he served on the local vestry multiple times and over the years on a number of Episcopal Diocesan and UD and professional Committees.

He descended from early 18th century Delaware settler Elias Naudain, Nick’s Huguenot family ancestry was important to him. Nick was a life member of the Delaware Huguenot Society. As a way to continue that legacy, The Naudain Scholarship for UD students in the visual and performing arts was established.

E. Naudain Simons III is survived by his wife, Wanda Morris Simons; son, E. Naudain “Dain” Simons IV; daughter, Elizabeth Simons Gleason (Todd); and grandchildren, Evan and Claire.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Monday, March 23, 2026 at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, 10 Old Newark Road, Newark, DE, where a memorial service will begin at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of E. Naudain Simons III to the Naudain Scholarship Fund. Please send contributions to: University of Delaware, Gifts Processing, 83 E. Main St., 3rd Fl., Newark, DE 19716. Make checks payable to: ‘University of Delaware’ and include on the memo line “In memory of E. Naudain Simons III – Naudain Scholarship”. Gifts can also be made on the University of Delaware’s secure website by clicking  here, select “other”, add “Naudain Endowed Scholarship.”