WINTERPORT and HAMPDEN – Patricia Dawn Simpson, 78, passed away and joined her husband in heaven Aug. 15, 2009, two days after suffering a massive stroke. Pat was born Dec. 26, 1930, in Bangor. She was one of seven children born to Melvin and Lillian Goodine Russell. She was a lifelong Catholic. Pat was first a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bangor, and then for 50 years a member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Winterport. She was the mother of eight children, grandmother of 14 and great-grandmother of seven. She and her husband for many years owned Simpson’s General Store, Winterport, a business best described by a card kept on the store counter – “We carry a little of everything in general.” She was a youthful and energetic woman who had amazingly gotten her first white hairs – several – when she turned 70. She laughingly recounted the story of being accused, several years ago during a church pilgrimage, of claiming to be older than she was. She finally convinced her apologetic fellow traveler only by producing her driver’s license and pointing out her date of birth. In previous years, she had been both a Girl Scout leader and a Cub Scout Den mother. Pat had also been a member of the Daughters of Isabella at St. Gabriel’s and the Women’s Action Committee. She was Sacristan during Masses and celebrations at St. Gabriel’s, served on the Parish Tri-Council and was involved in numerous other church activities including the annual church lawn party and the Christmas Fair. She was a member of Winterport Women’s Club. She and her husband, Bunny, had been co-presidents of Winterport PTA and Winterport Boosters Club. Together, with many close friends, they organized town parades, field days and variety shows including, in the 1960s, an elaborate and a highly successful minstrel show staged at the old Winterport Town Hall. She was predeceased by her husband, Bernard M. “Bunny” Simpson Sr., in 1988. She is survived by her children, Terrilyn Simpson and partner, Stephen Weston, of Winthrop, Cynthia Simpson and son-in-law, Rick Haseltine, of Bangor, Bernard Simpson and wife, Sherye, of West Palm Beach, Fla., Barrett Simpson of Hampden, Robin Belanger and husband, Mark, of Chazy, N.Y., Brian and wife, Michelle, of Sarasota, Fla., Bradley Simpson and his partner, Sheena Strunk, of Winterport, and Patricia “Trish” Iarrobino and husband, Rick, of Alton; and former daughter-in-law, Kathryn Christakos. She had 14 grandchildren, Quinton and wife, Amy Moran, Crescent Moran, Nicola and husband, Mike Knupp, HM2 Brian Simpson, Elliott, Bentley and Clara Simpson, Sarah Belanger and husband, Olivier, Evan and Elijah Belanger, Lt. Christina and husband, Capt. Gregg Degruchy, Erika Simpson, and Beston and Maeve Simpson; seven great-grandchildren Samuel, Tristan and their mother, Angela, Alex, Matthew, Zackary, Jordan and Hunter; two sisters, Barbara Lampedecchio of Bangor and Betty Jackson of Alabama; and many dear friends from the church and community she so loved. Family and friends may visit 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Main Street, Winterport. Those who wish may contribute to St. Gabriel’s Vestment Fund, care of St. John’s Catholic Church, 207 York St., Bangor, ME 04401-5442. Messages of condolence and memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com. For you, Mom and Dad 3-4-5-18
PATRICIA D. SIMPSON
