Simon left for work in Sydney in the 1920s. She returned to Purfleet to look after her maternal grandmother; who died in 1932. The following year, Simon divorced from Clement Ritchie, on the grounds of adultery. On 30 April 1934 at the Court House, Taree, she married Joseph (Joe) Simon, a widower with four sons, who was a fine guitarist and singer. She had become an assertive and skilful spokesperson for her people with successive resident government managers, some of whom employed her as a domestic. During World War II she and Joseph grew vegetables at Avoca on contract for the army; he later worked as a professional fisherman. In 1945, they returned to Purfleet.
