Sylvie Simon, aged 63, embarked on her journey into nursing during her secondary education years, persisting in this noble profession through to retirement and beyond. Having worked for over three decades in the bustling emergency room of the country's only pediatric hospital, she devoted countless hours to her work, located 24 kilometers from her hometown where she was born to an immigrant French mother with direct Italian lineage and a Luxembourgish father who transitioned from a career in manual labor to nursing at ARBED. Medicine was not just a profession for her; it was a familial legacy passed down from her father, which she passed on to her son, who shares her passion for the field.
Her professional journey reached its pinnacle in 2023 with her retirement, a transition marked by challenges. However, retirement did not mean the end of Sylvie's nursing career. Encouraged by her husband and son, she eagerly resumed her role as a voluntary nurse, bringing her wealth of experience to Doctors of the World in Luxembourg. Despite facing medical procedures in her early retirement months, she gained a fresh perspective from the hospital bed. She dedicates several hours each week to voluntary nursing while serving on the administrative councils of two benevolent associations.
Sylvie Simon's nursing journey, rooted in familial legacy and personal dedication, reached a significant milestone upon her retirement in 2023. Yet, her commitment to serving others persisted as she embraced voluntary nursing and community engagement. Balancing familial responsibilities, medical challenges, and social activism, Sylvie embodies a lifelong devotion to healthcare and compassion.
How does it feel to be 72?
Why did you retire or why are you still working?
Why did you retire?
Why are you still working?
After 41 years of pediatric and adult emergency care service, I have finally chosen to retire. This transition allows me to engage more actively in social activities, tend to my friendships, prioritize my health, spend quality time with my granddaughter, support my parents, and be available to assist my son and his wife with their daily needs. Furthermore, retirement allows me to pursue leisure activities such as sports, including golf and cycling, and travel. Most importantly, I can now fully enjoy our second home by the sea in Cadzand.
Free from the constraints of hierarchy, stress, and fixed schedules, I flourish in social volunteering—a pursuit that brings me great fulfillment. In this unjust world, I am grateful for the chance to aid the most vulnerable members of our society. While retirement often connotes rest and isolation, mine is characterized by reflection, resourcefulness, and wonder.
What do you look forward to?
What is your biggest concern?
Life expectancy 2023
