 In 1957, she represented the United States in Holland at the 30th Annual International Gas Balloon Races, where she received a gold medal recognizing her contributions to gas balloon research.In 1958, Simons divorced Otto C. Winzen, and subsequently sold her interest in Winzen Research.Prior to meeting Winzen, she had studied art formally at the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis School of Art, so after the divorce she returned to the world of art, enrolling in the Corcoran Art School in Washington, DC, and in 1960, she moved to Texas, launching her career as an artist.