Vivian Kay Simpson

Vivian Kay (McCovey) Simpson 1939 2013 Beloved Daughter, Wife, Mother, Grandma, Great Grandma, Auntie, Great Auntie, Cousin & Friend Vivian passed away June 30th at her Auntie Mindo and Uncle Scotty's home in Eureka surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was well loved and will missed by all. Viv was born, raised and lived most of her adult life at Notchko. This is where she continued the traditions of her Grandmother Elsie McCovey by welcoming all with open arms, fostering many children and feeding everyone who came to the door. Vivian truly enjoyed being the hostess at many family gatherings. Family and friends were always welcomed with a smile, a hug, good food and lots of teasing. We all enjoyed her deep fried prawns, wrapped in bacon and cashew nut in the middle. Vivian married the love of her life, John Denton Simpson. Together they had two children: Cindy and John Jr. Vivian loved being a grandma to Tiannah and Sean, whom she raised, spoiled and loved with all her heart. She also cherished her great-grandson Pey-Goy. Vivian was a proud member of the Yurok Tribe. She served as a representative on the Natural Resource Committee for many years. She was an active supporter in the Jessie Short Case that secured Yurok Tribal Members their Rights and Resources on the Reservation. Viv was known to be a hard worker, an avid fisherwoman and a fierce poker player. She enjoyed her life on the Klamath River. She had a wealth of knowledge and was always willing to share/teach anyone willing to learn. She enjoyed hunting, fishing for salmon, sturgeon, eels and gathering traditional items. Viv could fillet a fish faster than anyone on the River. She smoked and canned everything from fish to berries, never wasting anything. Viv had a love for animals: she raised peacocks and nursed many wild animals back to health like the baby fawn, the twin foxes, the quail and so many others through the years. Vivian was preceded in death by her loving husband John Simpson Sr., daughter Cindy Simpson, her mother Lillian Shermoen, her father Earl Stevens and her sister Sharon; aunties: Elsie, Ethel, Sadie, Marjorie, Sylvia; uncles: Isaac (Ted) and George. Vivian is survived by her son John Simpson Jr., grandchildren Tiannah, Sean and Cindy Simpson; great-grandson Pey-Goy Simpson; sisters Earlene, Bonnie, Laura and Melva; and hundreds of cousins who Vivian shared a lifetime of great memories which included some who she considered siblings-in-heart: Gerald (Squeaker), Raymond, Gaylon, Joe, Carmen (Boo Boo), Bonnie (Hoddy) and Majorie. Viv also had a special place in heart for Fred, Jacob and many friends. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Chetti, Leonard and Arden McCovey, Gerald, Raymond, Gaylon and Joe Bacon, Charles Williams, Gary and Richard Haberman. Services will be held Saturday, August 10th at 2:00 at the Shaker Church in Pecwan. A gathering will follow at Vivian's home on the Notchko River Bar. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com, click on obits.