Patricia "Jill" Simpson

1927 - 2011

Patricia L. "Jill" Simpson

January 24, 1927

December 8, 2011

Patricia L. "Jill" Simpson passed away peacefully with her husband of 62 years at her side, at her home in Reno on December 8, 2011. Jill and her twin brother Charles W. "Jack" Patchen were born in Reno to Maxine Likins Patchen and Charles W. Patchen in 1927. Her parents and brother preceded Jill in death.

Jill grew up in Oakland, CA; graduated from Fremont High School; and attended the University of Kansas where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

She married Rodger ("Pete") Simpson in 1949. They started their family in Alameda, California, two daughters, Carol Ann and Janet Lee. Then they moved to Pleasant Hill, California. There they enjoyed suburban California life on their patio and swimming in their pool. In 1960, the family moved to Reno.

Jill's family enjoyed summers at her mother's home on the Yuba River. This tradition started when Jill was 8 and her family camped at the Yuba River. Later her mother and stepfather built a cabin on the river. She and her family and friends remember all their good times together at "Garner Gulch".

Jill was an active community volunteer in her sorority and the Reno Junior League.

She enjoyed playing tennis and after retiring from active play, she continued to follow professional tennis on TV. She was a good bridge player and played for 40 years with her dear friends. Jill and her twin brother both took piano lessons as kids and Jill continued to play through high school, college and continued playing for personal enjoyment throughout her life.

Above all, Jill was a devoted wife, and a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was delighted to attend her granddaughter Lindsay (Gray) Eulberg's wedding in Arizona. This November, Jill was thrilled to hold her new great granddaughter, Emily.

Jill will be remembered by her loving husband, Rodger, their two daughters: Carol Simpson (John Gordon) and Janet Simpson King (Frank King); her grandchildren: Garrett Gray and Lindsay (Gray) Eulberg, Sam Simpson-Gordon, and Emily Eulberg; her two nieces Martha (Patchen) Martinez and Virginia (Patchen) Holbrook, and nephew Kenneth Patchen; and on Rodger's side, her nephews Scott Moller (Shanna), Rodger Moller and Peter Mann and nieces Gretchen Felte (Cal) and Eleanor Mann.

Pete lovingly cared for Jill when she became ill and homebound in August 2010. Carol and Janet flew in regularly and were able to tell Jill many times how much they love her. Many thanks to Hospice volunteers Sally and John who visited with Jill while Pete ran errands and had lunch with friends. The family is grateful to St. Mary's Hospice for all their wonderful care. Pete, Carol and Janet thank nurse Lynn, care giver Terry, and social worker Annila for their support and help through this time. They were a special comfort at the end of Jill's life.

At Jill's request, there will be no funeral. A private family gathering will be held at a later date.