Wilma Audrey "Willie" Simpson

Wilma Audrey "Willie" (Johnston) Simpson, 93, passed away peacefully and with grace on August 19, 2025 in Kentville, NS. Born in Brockville, ON to Clifford O. Johnston and Grace (Jelly) Johnston, she was the eldest daughter in a family of eight.

Mom received her early education in a one-room schoolhouse in Greenbush, ON where she grew up on the family farm. She attended Brockville Collegiate Institute. Upon graduation, she trained to be a nurse at the Brockville General Hospital.

She married William George "Bill" Simpson on June 2, 1956. They had two children, Janet and Malcolm.

Mom worked as a nurse in Brockville, ON and in Syracuse, NY, while dad attended university at SUNY. After dad’s graduation, they moved to New Jersey, where Malcolm was born. We lived there happily until 1968, when the urge to return "home" to Canada prompted a move to Kentville, NS.

Mom was active in the St. Ann’s Guild at St. James Anglican Church for a number of years. She was a member of the Ken-Wo golf club, as well as the Ken-Wo Bridge club. She became an avid duplicate bridge player and travelled all over Canada and the USA and even Bermuda to earn her Silver Life Masters in duplicate bridge. She also volunteered with Meals on Wheels for a number of years.

Mom was an amazing cook and an accomplished quilter. All of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren received a beautiful, handmade quilt from Nanny.

Mom travelled extensively after dad’s death, visiting six of the seven continents through Elderhostel. She also attended Acadia University, to take advantage of the courses offered to seniors. Mom always loved to learn and was always encouraging us to "look it up".

Willie is survived by her children, Janet Pedersen (Larry) and Malcolm Simpson (Sandra); her grandchildren, Joshua (Melinda), Jessica (Brent), Rebecca, Griffin (Ashley), Alex (Neil), and Zoe (Robert); and great-grandchildren, Lucas, Emma, Jocelyn, Alice, Chloe, and Hazel.

She is also survived by her sisters, Noreen Foan and Helen Logan. Willie was predeceased by her husband Bill, her parents and her siblings, Ralph, Omar, Pete, David and George.

A private, family graveside service will be held at mom’s request on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at Elm Grove Cemetery with The Reverend Kris MacKenzie officiating. Donations in Willie’s memory may be made to the Valley Regional Hospital, Doctors Without Borders, or the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.