Barbara passed away peacefully with family on February 4 of 2021 in her 95th year. A long awaited celebration of her life will be held on June 24, 2021 (she and her deceased husband, Vern’s, wedding anniversary date).
A true Niagara Peninsula native, Barbara was born on May 26, 1926 and was one of the first babies born in the then new St. Catharines hospital. She grew up in Thorold and Welland with her older brother Edward (Ed) and younger brother Robert (Bob). Her father, Edward, was an engineer on the Welland Canal and she would often recall many trips to see its construction and operation as a child. On hot summer days she and her brothers would swim in the canal-between the passing ships and lakers. In her teen years, she volunteered as a Farmerett in Vineland. Soon after she went to college in Toronto. Upon graduation was hired by the Connaught Laboratories in Toronto. There she met and married her husband, Vernon St. Clair Simpson, had three daughters (Rosemary, Janet, Katharine) and then in 1955 moved to Fonthill, where a son (William) was born a few years later to complete the family.
Barbara was an excellent seamstress, avid reader, sailor, clever card player, knitter (the entire family and several friends all boast ownership of warm wool socks!), letter writer and on occasion-poet. She was a quiet loving force, the heart and soul of any gathering she attended. Her generosity and sweet caring nature were legendary to all who knew her.
Barbara took an active role in her community. She was on the Fonthill Library Board ensuring a new library was built, was instrumental in the long running success of the Pelham Art Council’s annual show and an avid volunteer and strong supporter of her church-Holy Trinity Church in Fonthill. She participated in executive roles with Anglican Church Women, Girl Guides of Canada, the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, the Canadian Needle Arts Guild, the (McKeevers) Owl Foundation, the Cancer Society and local hospitals. She and Vern were enthusiastic world travelers, often venturing into the unbeaten path and enjoyed wintering in Mexico for the last 25 years.
She will always be remembered for her grace, dignity, life wisdom and all encompassing affection. She was strong, kind, a teacher of compassion, a beacon of love and always there when you needed her. She was the epitome of a life well lived and will always be in our hearts.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Barbara Simpson on June 24th, 2021 from 1:30pm to 5pm at Lampman Funeral Home, 724 Canboro Rd, Fenwick, ON. Due to Covid-19 restrictions those wishing to attend are asked to book your time slot on the Lampman Funeral Home website under Barbara’s obituary. www.lampmanfuneralhome.com
May God bless you with a restful peace! I loved being part of the Barbara twosome that stimulated the growth and success of the Pelham Art Festival through the early years. Love Barb