Obituaries
Elizabeth Ann Gorham Simpson, 90
May 21, 2013
Elizabeth Ann Gorham Simpson, 90, completed the earthly portion of her life on May 21, 2013 at Moravian Manor, Lititz.
Born in Lancaster, Betsy was the daughter of the late Susan Roy Gorham and Francis Aloysius Gorham. After graduation from J.P. McCaskey High School in 1940, she enrolled in Mary Washington College, Fredericksburg, Virginia.
She was a member of the Mary Washington Players and the National Honorary Classics Society. As part of the International Relations Club, she participated in a British-American penpal exchange, sending frequent letters and gifts to a young English woman experiencing the difficulties and shortages that pervaded the UK during World War II.
Upon graduation from college in 1944, Betsy began teaching at the Douglas MacArthur Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia.
She returned to Lancaster and taught at the Buehrle School before marrying attorney W. Roger Simpson in December, 1949 at St. Mary’s Church in Lancaster. When Roger was recalled to the Navy during the Korean War, they lived in Alexandria, Virginia. Apart from that sojourn, they spent their 46 married years in Lancaster. Roger died in 1996
Betsy was an active volunteer at Sacred Heart School and parish and at Lancaster Catholic High School. She was a member of the Junior League of Lancaster and the Pennsylvania Catholic Beneficial League. In 1965 she began service as a "Gray Lady" at St. Joseph’s (now Lancaster Regional) Hospital, and continued as a Red Cross Volunteer for 46 years, bringing mail, flowers and her personal greetings to innumerable patients throughout the decades.
She was widely known as a devoted fan of the Philadelphia Phillies. She enjoyed gardening, history, music, vacations in Avalon, NJ, and a succession of memorable cats.
She is survived by her four children: William Roger (Sil), Jr., husband of Barbara Stank, Lancaster; Susan Frances, wife of Malcolm Brown, Dresher; Thomas George, husband of Daniela Ciceri, Lancaster; and Anne Elizabeth, wife of Curt Suplee, Silver Spring, Maryland. She was extremely fond and inordinately proud of her grandchildren: Elizabeth Anne Brown, New York; Laura Jane Brown, Washington, D.C., Kevin Brown, Alexandria, VA; Arianna Simpson, New York; Lorenzo Simpson, Lancaster; Samantha and Maria Suplee, Silver Spring, MD. A brother, George E.R. Gorham, died in 2001.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 558 West Walnut Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 with Rev. Michael E. Messner as Celebrant. Family and friends will be received from 7-9PM on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543, and again from 9:45-10:45AM at the church. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Lancaster. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Operation Smile, 6435 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, VA 23509 or to Sacred Heart School, 235 Nevin Street, Lancaster, PA 17603. To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
She is missed. Thanks to her for many memories and Simpson quips.
Buchers large and small
Please accept our deepest condolences.
John, Kathi and Henry Markley
Our hearts and thoughts are with you over the loss of your beloved Mother and Nana. She was a lovely lady!May your wonderful memories keep her forever in your hearts.
Andie, Robert and Michael Steinberg
Care Tom, Daniela, Arianna, e Lorenzo,
Mi dispiace per la vostra perdita. Avete la mia compassione e le mie preghiere. Spero che la brava e bella madre e nonna resti in pace.
Coll’affezione, il tuo amico,
Francesco
Sorry to hear of your loss. I remember being at your house during high school and early college years and your mom was always so nice and funny.
Mick Kolb
Dear Simpson Family,
Our condolences to you all on the loss of your Mother. I would see Betsy at St Joe’s/LRMC on Thursdays and we would always stop to chat.
Both pictures (past and present) that you put in the paper are beautiful!
We can see why your father scooped her right up!
Fondly,
Kevin and Laura Kaiser
"Mrs. Simpson" was a remarkable lady. I knew her mostly as the mom of my dear friend Tom aka "Simp" and his siblings, who were also a special part of the lives of the Stengel clan. Mrs Simpson’s obituary captured a life very fully lived, and a life of love and service. And…I will never watch the Phillies without thinking of her!
Jim Stengel & family
I’m so sorry that you had to give up your mother. It’s really hard to lose a mom…no matter her status at the end of her earthly life. It’s still your mom. Remember her with a smile for all the fun stories that you have stored up in your memory.
Lin Rengier
Mrs. Simpson was a lovely lady with a wonderful smile and a warm heart. Gordon never had it so good! Although we didn’t know her for long, we shall all miss her.
Fondly,
Robert, Amy, Leonie, Davy and Gordon Weber
Mrs. Simpson, aka Nana Simpson, always had a big smile and hug for myself and my family, throughout the 44 years that I have known her. We loved our many years in Avalon with her, and my children still refer to her as Nana Simpson, even though they are Thirty Something. She was a wonderful lady, who lives on in her wonderful children and grand-children.
Another Betsy (Natale)
Prayer and condolences go out to the Simpson family from Mary Martin Fisichella
