The Oakland Press/DOUG BAUMAN Authors Bob and Mary Simion of Clarkston contributed their life’s story to “Freefalling: Writing wthout Limits,” a collaboration of 12 writers.

Bob and Mary Simion of Clarkston have seen the best and the worst of life in their 60-year marriage.

They have been blessed with four children, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. They have seen his tour of duty in World War II and his return home after the war to go back to school. He earned two degrees and worked in the banking industry for 40 years. She earned a degree in music, plays the piano and has been a certified astrologer for 26 years.

Tragically, they have buried two of their children, a 60-year-old son who had a massive heart attack and an adult daughter, who for 31 years had been the longest survivor of ovarian cancer.

Together, they have plenty to say and now, along with a dozen writers, they are saying it well in a new book, “Freefalling, Writing without Limits” (iUniverse, 2007, $21.95). Edited by Margo LaGattuta, the book is a 270-page anthology of creative writing and teaching guidelines.

A two-year project, “Freefalling, Writing without Limits” was the result of a writing/publishing workshop that met at least twice each month in Rochester.

“Despite the personal tragedy in the family, we were writing, which helped immensely,” Mary Simion said. Bob Simion added, “We couldn’t have kept going without Margo’s help.”

The couple, both in their 80s, write independently but edit together.

Her writing room is upstairs. He writes downstairs. He doesn’t share his work until his writing is nearly finished.

“But we enjoy writing classes together. We discuss the lessons. We proof read each other’s work and we are always very supportive,” Mary said.

“When Bob came home from the war, he never spoke about it. He was reluctant. There just weren’t any words. Like so many men, he did a tremendous service for his country. He was behind enemy lines with his life in danger,” she said.

Bob said, “My work was always done in secret. I was involved in wartime intelligence, I couldn’t talk about it. Yet with Margo’s help, I learned that I didn’t need to talk about the work itself, I could write about other things. I gained a voice.”

The Simions were motivated to write down their stories for their children and grandchildren.

“Our generation grew up in the Depression,” Mary said. “We had to make our way through a lot of difficulties. We had to learn to stand firm, to be able to take it, to not give up.”

Award-winning author and teacher LaGattuta, of Rochester, selected these 12 local authors from among those in her classes at U-M Flint, Baker College, OCC and from her private creative workshops. In addition to her extensive writing credits and her MFA, LaGattuta said she relishes teaching.

“‘Freefalling’ selections cover a wide range of themes,” LaGattuta said, “from recollections of a World War II secret agent, to recovery from a closed head injury, memories of a 4th-grade teacher, celebration of family, survival of trauma and downsizing, handling (the) loss of a parent, remembering victims of Hurricane Katrina and biking across America.”

Besides the Simions, LaGattuta’s other 12 writers are: L. Marie Elsey, Polly Opsahl and LaGattuta of Rochester; Dinah Lee, Maryhelen Hagood and Mary Ellen Soroka of Lake Orion-Oxford; and Bernie DeHut, Karen Marie Duquette, Lori Goff and Susan Kehoe.

“I’ve believed for a long time since I began teaching writing workshops, that everyone has a story to tell and needs a safe place to tell it.” LaGattuta said. “This literary collection is a powerful example of the art of storytelling, in prose and poetry, and its ability to heal us. It also celebrates both the creative process and the revision process,”

For more information, contact Margo LaGattuta at (248) 693-7227 or lagapvp@aol.com.