Simpson, Virginia Dorothy

Virginia Dorothy Simpson - age: 94
(October 16, 1916 to April 19, 2011 )
Resident of Ukiah, California

Obituary:
Virginia Dorothy Simpson, a long-time resident of Ukiah, California, passed away Tuesday, April 19th at Arden Wood in San Francisco.

She was dearly loved by her immediate and extended family and will be greatly missed, but we know that she has gone on to explore what lies beyond this life.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Jack; son, Gregg; and her two brothers, Paul and Frans; and sister, Ruth. She is survived by daughters, Vicki and Hazel; son, Jeffrey; daughters-in-law Darlene and Marilyn; sons-in-law, Don and Phil; grandchildren, Shannon, Heather, Roberto, Sarah, Katie, Melanie and Adrienne; and 6 great grandchildren.

Virginia was born on October 16, 1916 in Los Angeles to Edna Stultz Arvidson and Edward N. Arvidson, both pharmacists. As a youngster, her after-school responsibility was to deliver prescriptions by foot or street car to area customers, and she always kept that feeling of excitement and freedom at traveling to a new destination. Her mother's serious illness sent Virginia, at 15 years old, to live in Eureka with her brother Paul and his wife, Pearl, where she finished high school and later met her husband-to-be, Jack Simpson.

Over the years, she fulfilled the role of educator's wife from Jack's first teaching job in a one-room school house in Morek, CA through his career as principal at Redwood Valley School and Superintendent of Elementary Schools in Ukiah. She was active in the P.T.A. for many years, was a member of Eastern Star, and Faculty Wives' Club. She continued to enjoy volunteer time at local elementary schools tutoring children in math and reading after Jack retired and their own four children were long out of school.

As her own children grew up, she was Chief of Encouragement and Appreciation for their progress and antics. Mom was always available with patient listening and wise counsel. She loved picnics, the California coast, camping, Yosemite, keeping in touch with longtime friends and relatives, sending news articles of interest to family, being at Lake Mendocino, and watching airplanes land and take off from the local airport. Her potato salad was the best and her cheese bread didn't last long enough to cool. She knew the particular interests of each of her grandchildren and loved their company. She wouldn't miss "Perry Mason" or "Lawrence Welk" on t.v. in earlier years and "Charlie Rose" and "Bill Moyer's Journal" in more recent years. She loved music and Hershey bars. She delighted us with her offbeat sense of humor and whimsy.

Virginia's religious faith was her rock throughout her long life. She was a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Ukiah, for 65 years. As her physical activities slowed down, she felt that her full-time job had become praying for the well-being of the world.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 30th at 2 p.m. at Eversole Mortuary. Friends of the family are invited to attend.