MARY LOU SIMPSON (MORKIN)

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MARY LOU SIMPSON (nee MORKIN) Mary Lou Simpson, St. Mary's Academy-educated, University of Manitoba-trained interior designer, who chose varied careers and pastimes and liked to live life effervescently, died peacefully early Sunday morning, April 27, 2008 at the Rock Lake Personal Care Home in Pilot Mound, Manitoba. She was 86. Mary Lou is survived by her husband of 56 years, Harry of Crystal City, Manitoba; son Michael and wife Pam, grandchildren Colin and Christine of Winnipeg; daughter Celia and husband Robert Guilford and granddaughter Jessie of Clearwater, Manitoba; brother Jimmy Morkin of St. Boniface. Mary Lou was the daughter of Judge and Mrs. J.I Morkin, longtime residents of Elm Street in Winnipeg. In 1944 she took to the sky at the Winnipeg Flying Club, tutored by the ebullient Italian, Charlie Graceffo, and at Johannesson Flying Service, with Konnie Johannesson, First World War flier and member of the Winnipeg Falcons hockey team, gold medal winner at 1920 Olympics in Antwerp. Could you find more colourful instructors? Her favourite aircraft was the open-cockpit Tiger Moth, the elementary flying machine of the Commonwealth Air Training Scheme during the Second World War. Her flying pal was the late Sylvia Jonasson. After her marriage in 1952, she worked for the Child Protection Branch of the Children's Aid, picking up abandoned children with the help of the Winnipeg Police, placing them in foster homes, and dealing with other early life tragedies that came her way. Over the years Mary Lou spent her interior design talents helping friends choose furniture, drapes, rugs and other domestic bonds that needed color and comfort coordination. In 1974, she decided to become a realtor; first with Park Realty, then Fort Garry Trust, Royal Le Page, McKeag Realty, and Qualico, a 15-year career of interesting times and lasting friendships. At one time or another, she took a fling at 10 Pin Bowling, jogged the track at Grant Park High, stood on her head during yoga meditations, barred junk food from 955 Beaverbrook, cherished her friends and neighbours, and played a convivial hand of bridge. Mary Lou had a splendid touch in the kitchen; she collected and read cookbooks like they were novels, and cooked gourmet meals daily. A celebration of Mary Lou's life will be held at a later date.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 10, 2008