KATHLEEN ELSIE SIMPKIN

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KATHLEEN ELSIE SIMPKIN (née Stokes) December 6, 1920 - October 8, 2006 Suddenly on October 8, 2006, at the MSA Hospital in Abbotsford, BC, with her family at her side, Kathleen Elsie Simpkin passed away at the age of 85. Mum and her twin sister Muriel were born in Cheltenham, Gloucester, England, to Eveline and Harold Stokes on December 6, 1920. Mum is survived by her twin sister Muriel Hames (Derrick) of Golden Cross, East Sussex, England. She is also survived by her five children and their spouses: Marion Kilfoyle (Howard) of Winnipeg, Gary (Bella) of Chilliwack, Lynn Nielsen (Ken) of Calgary, Dale Carvery (Herb) of Winnipeg and Kathy Davies (Steve) of Agassiz, 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, as well as numerous cousins in England. She was predeceased by her father Harold in 1952 and her mother Eveline in 1986. Mum came to Canada as a war bride in 1944. She originally lived in Lundar, Manitoba, and eventually settled in Winnipeg. In the mid-1950s mum made the courageous decision to raise her five children on her own. Mum was a longtime member of Shaughnessy United Church. She worked for Fred Douglas Lodge as the Executive Housekeeper until her retirement in 1985. Mum then moved to Aldergrove, BC and became a member of Aldergrove United Church. She moved to Abbotsford in 1992 where she lived until her death. The family would like to thank Dr. David Froese and John Leung for their care of Mum for the past few years, as well as Jane from Home Support. Mum will be sadly missed by her family and friends for her sense of humour and warmth. A celebration of Mum's life will be held at Aldergrove United Church on Wednesday, October 25 at 11:00 a.m. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations may be made in Mum's memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 12, 2006