Jennie Ditty

Jennie Lou Myers (Simpson) Ditty, 91, of Clarion, passed away on Monday October 13, 2025 at the McKinley Health Center in Brookville with her loving family at her side. 

She was born on April 7, 1934 in Sligo. She was the daughter of Donald and Dorothy (Platte) Myers. 

After graduating from Clarion High School in 1952, she met her first husband Ray at the skating rink that her uncle owned and operated in Rimersburg.

She married Ray Simpson on May 12, 1954. 

They had one son together, Will Simpson. 

While raising Will, she could often be found working at Arner’s Florist Shop for her older sister Nellie. 

Jennie married William “Bill” Ditty or “Papa” as she lovingly called him on March 14, 1986. They were often seen together at church events throughout their 17 years of marriage until his passing on April 26, 2003. 

Throughout her life she loved reading the bible, gardening, canning, cooking, collecting glass kittens, cross word and jigsaw puzzles, baking and cultivating flower beds, spending time with her grandchildren, family and friends. 

Jennie served the Lord as a Sunday school teacher, a member of Grace Community Church, the choir, engaging in women’s groups, coordinating Vacation Bible School and other church social activities. 

She was known for creating delicious food in the kitchen and often showed her care through the delicious treats she would make. She is famous for her homemade angel food cakes, and egg noodles. 

Jennie is survived by one son, William R. “Will” Simpson and his wife Marcy of Marble, four grandchildren; Cassandra (Brad) Knight of Montgomery, TX., Katrina (Skip) McCleary of Harrisonburg, VA., Dalton (Alyxie) Hill of Aliquippa, PA., Hannah Hill of Gallatin, TN., eight great-grandchildren, one sister-in-law, Charlene Myers of Sligo, and a special friend Cindy Schrecengost of Fryburg. 

In addition to her parents and two husbands  she is preceded in death by six brothers; Clifford, Kenneth, Platt, Daniel, Lester, and Fred Myers, four sisters; Joy Wagner, Evelyn “Tot” Bigley, Rosalind (Switzer) Nelson, Nellie Arner and a granddaughter Amanda Hill. 

Jennie’s family will receive friends on Wednesday October 15, 2025 at the Varner Funeral Home in Sligo from 3 to 7 PM. 

A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday October 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Tim Shimmons, associate pastor at Grace Community Church, officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Churchville Presbyterian Cemetery.

A sincere thank you to McKinley Health Center and to the Clarion Forest VNA for their care. 

The family suggests memorials be made to the Clarion Forest VNA, 271 Perkins Rd. Clarion, PA., 16214 or the Grace Community Church, 3225 Curllsville Rd, Sligo, PA. 16255. 

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting http://www.Varnerfuneralhome.com