Simone Bauer

Simone Bauer, better known as MopMop to all, was born on August 24, 1931, in Strasbourg, France. She, along with her parents, Henry and Marthe Heyman, narrowly escaped the Holocaust. Simone was 10 years old when they took one of the last ships out of Spain in 1941 to America. They buried all of their furniture and silver in their backyard in an underground pit right before the Nazis made a headquarters out of their beautiful home. They were able to recover all of their valuables after the war. When they returned to visit their old neighborhood, they were welcomed back by the Mayor of Strasbourg with a parade in their honor. Simone and her family eventually moved to Waco, where she has resided for the last 62 years. She loved Waco and her new home, quickly learned English in grade school and went on to graduate from Waco High School. She and her parents assimilated beautifully in Texas and they achieved the American dream of starting their own business- H&B Packing Co., Inc. At 19, she met Jake Bauer and fell deeply in love. He thought she was the most beautiful little French girl in the world. Together they made a fabulous fairytale life. They had 3 boys and finally 1 sweet little girl, thank goodness. Simone was not stopping until she had that girl! Their lives were filled with world travels. Simone loved planning her hundreds of trips and included her former homeland of France as many times as she could in her plans. She had an amazing life filled with loving family, fabulous friends, and went on hundreds of cruises with all of them. Simone was very active in Congregation Agudath Jacob and was the first woman President. Simone loved Israel and traveled there many times. She was proud to support Jewish organizations like Hadassah and the Jewish Federation of Waco and Central Texas. Simone loved to have parties, go to parties, and most of all, dance at parties. She would stay on the dance floor with Jake the entire night, dancing to Big Band music. A favorite family memory is Simone’s love of Johnny Carson. She enjoyed watching the show from her bed with Jake by her side and all the children lined up at their feet. Simone loved her life, and when asked said there is not one thing that she would have changed if given the chance. A favorite part of her fairytale life was her marriage to Jake, the strongest marriage of any you can imagine in real life or in the movies. They were an impressive team and never did anything apart. They ate every meal together and worked together side by side at H&B Packing up until 4 days before her passing. He waited on her and spoiled her rotten every single day of her life. In return, she loved her precious Jake like no other. For 66 years, they slept in the same tiny double antique bed from France. They loved each other deeply and that love will never fade away. Simone loved being surrounded by her children and especially adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Jake Bauer; son, Rick and wife, Melanie, son, David and wife, Martha, son, Benjy and wife, Betty, daughter, Rana and husband, Jim. Additionally, she is survived by six grandchildren: Kam and wife, Shauna, Brady, Halyn and husband, Aaron, Kalize, Mikkah, and Brian; as well as three beautiful great-grandchildren: Baylor, Emery, and Lawton. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday April 4, at Agudath Jacob Cemetery, located at 4002 S. 12th St, at 3:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to The Jewish Federation of Waco and Central Texas, P.O. Box 8031, Waco TX 76704. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.