LUCILLE M. SIMPSON

ALFRED – Lucille Aldersley Mansur Simpson of Middle Branch Drive died Saturday, 16 April, 2005. She was a pioneer, mother, mentor, friend and advocate for the disadvantaged. Lucille was born April 10, 1922, in Lynn, Mass., to James and Rubie Thompson Aldersley. She was raised in Chelsea, studied pharmacology and during World War II worked as a welder at the South Boston shipyard. On a visit to Shapleigh, she met Frederick Leroy Mansur on the Ross Corner Road and the rest is history. An avid reader all of her life, Lucille started the Shapleigh Public Library. She was also a select-man in Shapleigh for 12 years during which she was instrumental in setting aside land for a town forest. In 1965, a widow with four children, she began a lifetime of work with York County Community Action Corporation. In the early days of the war on poverty she was responsible for bringing monies to Maine for a wide variety of programs such as Headstart and WIC. To address gaps in rural health service delivery, she developed the Healthmobile, a trailer, converted to a clinic, that traveled throughout York County. She began a lead poison screening program. As director of Expanded Child Health Services she ran five clinics throughout Maine. Through grant writing and fundraising, she created the beginnings of a transportation program for York County’s poor, elderly and disabled. Working with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service she developed a nutrition outreach program. Lucille was deputy director of York County Community Action, and director of the Home Energy Assistance Program, for several years. Lucille was an incorporator and president of the State Family Planning Association. She served on several boards including the Maine Health Systems Agency, York County Shelters, York County Cooperative Extension, Southern Maine Comprehensive Health Association, and Maine Medical Center. In her work history, she received numerous awards, honors and commendations for her time, dedication and wisdom. Those paying tribute included Southern Maine Community Health Association, Maine Rehabilitation Association, Maine Community Action Association, and WIC. In 1977, she became the first woman to receive the Sanford Kiwanis Club “Citizen” of the Year Award. Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging honored Lucille in 1982; in addition in 1999 they awarded her the John B. Truslow Advocacy Award. After more than 25 years, she retired from Community Action March 20, 1991. On that day, George Mitchell read a TRIBUTE TO LUCILLE SIMPSON into the Congressional Record. She was most proud that he called her a “public servant in the greatest sense of the word.” Whether testifying in Washington or driving down the Airline to Lubec, she had goodness with her where ever she went. Lucille taught others to fight for what they want and she called a spade a spade. She also, by example, taught how to throw a party, make a Bloody Mary, and dress for dinner. She loved gambling, watching old Tarzan movies, and reading mysteries. She traveled the world. She attended her 65th high school reunion in August, was singled out for her accomplishments, and looked beautiful in silver and black. She was honored immeasurably in 2001 with the naming of a housing complex in North Berwick after her: the Lucille M. Simpson Meadows. It is to here she is donating her extensive library. She was a mentor to many. She is survived by daughters, Linda Mansur Migneault and husband, David, of Alfred, and Lynne Mansur of Alfred; a son, Forrest, and family, of Springvale; grandchildren, Dianna, Deborah, James and Frederick Mansur of St. Cloud, Fla. She also leaves her friend of 32 years, Scott Davson, of Plymouth, England. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a son, Frederick James in 1990; and brothers, Raymond and James, in 1940. Her teachings continue. In a final act of giving, she donated her body to the University of New England. Her family will receive ashes in two to three years and will sprinkle them over the oceans she loved throughout the world. In lieu of flowers, money may be sent to Lucille M. Simpson Meadows, North Berwick, ME 03906, for the establishment of the library.