Stella Audrey Simpson
Our beloved mother Stella Audrey Simpson passed away peacefully in her 91st year on February 4, 2017 at Cascades Hospice with her four daughters present. Her life began September 15, 1926, the youngest child of Winnifred and Newton Wainman on a prairie wheat farm in Canora, Saskatchewan. Her brother Neil Wainman, and her sister Barbara Robinson are predeceased. She left her home at 18 and attended Vancouver Normal School in 1945 - 46. The following year she taught for one year in Mission. Mom returned to Saskatchewan to marry her childhood sweetheart Miles Simpson in 1947. Afterwards, they moved to BC and resided on a farm in the Atchelitz neighbourhood, where they raised four daughters, Janet, Judy (Keith), Christine (Gerald), and Gwen. Mom returned to teaching in 1962 and over the next 10 years completed her BA in Education at UBC through summer school and correspondence. Mom was ambitious and believed strongly in the importance of education for her daughters. Mom retired in 1985 after 21 years of teaching at McCammon Elementary School. Mom and Dad sold the farm in 1995 and moved to a home in Sardis. Dad and Mom celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1997 and they spent their retirement years travelling to England, Ireland, Scotland, Europe, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand. In 1999 in October, Dad passed in his 81st year. Mom spent the last seventeen years going to the retired Teacher's association luncheons, the Lawn Bowling Club, the Toast Masters club and Probus Club of Mt Cheam. Mom enjoyed her quilting, gardening, reading and current events. She spent afternoons at Minter Gardens with her dear friends Ruth Thompson and Beth McCutheon who taught with her at McCammon. Mom is survived by her four daughters, her grandchildren Bryan, Joshua, Michelle, Meegan, Serene and Jacqueline. As well, survived by her little "munchkins", great grandchildren, Rory, Holden, Neila, Joah, Caleb, Jane, Dashiell, and Kovar. She is survived by her sister-in-law Margaret Wainman. Mom was also close to her nieces, Lynn, Nancy (Simpson), Lynne, and Gail (Robinson) and her nephews, Ron, Bruce (Robinson), Newton, David, and Robert (Wainman). Mom will be greatly missed by family and friends. The family would like to thank Cascades Hospice Society and her family doctor Dr. Van Rooyen. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cascades Hospice Society. A Celebration of Life tea will be held at Best Western Country Inn, Lickman Rd., Chilliwack, BC, February 19, 2017 from 2pm. Private Family Burial. Online condolences to the family may be offered to gwen.simpson@shaw.ca