November 17, 1943- April 2, 2024

Nancy A. Simpson, a beacon of warmth and selflessness, passed away peacefully of natural causes on April 2, 2024 in Renton, WA. Nancy was born on November 17, 1943, at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, WA. Nancy’s life came full circle as she departed this world surrounded by the love of her family and the community she so ardently served.

Nancy’s journey through life was marked by her unwavering dedication to her family, her passion for history, and her commitment to the beautification of her community through her work as a Master Gardener, and Kent Historian. Her love story with her husband, Charles “Chuck” Simpson, was one for the ages, and together they raised two children who inherited her kind spirit and generous nature. As a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, Nancy’s legacy is carried on through the lives of those she touched.

Nancy graduated from Kent-Meridian High School in 1962. She went to work for Tradewell Corporation in the Kent Valley from there she went to Pacific Bell Telephone company in Seattle. While working at Pacific Bell she met Chuck on a blind date in February 1965, they married the following July and set up a home on Kent East Hill.

In May 1969 they welcomed their son, Mark Simpson, followed by their daughter, Stacy Simpson, in March 1975. Throughout their school years, she served as PTA co-president, Scouts and Campfire leader, as well as, other various church and community volunteer work. Her volunteer work led her to Judson Park Retirement Community. She spent the next decade there where she was Activities Coordinator followed by Director of Resident Services. She enjoyed taking seniors on various excursions from Hawaii and beyond as well as many day trips to community theaters and events.

After retiring from Judson Park, Nancy and Chuck began their own travel excursions visiting Portugal, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, & Norway including additional travels throughout the US.

Nancy welcomed her first granddaughter in June 2001 quickly followed by her twin grandsons in March 2002, and final granddaughter in July 2002. During her time as a grandmother, she honed her love for crafts with quilting, sewing, basket weaving, canning and much more. In addition to her beloved grandchildren, she had a love for her Scotty dogs, Abby, Maggie and Lily.

Her professional and volunteer work bore the hallmark of her loving and kind nature. Nancy served as the President of the Greater Kent Historical Society, where her efforts to preserve and celebrate the town’s heritage left an indelible mark. Her role as a Kent Historian was not just a job but a calling, as she immersed herself in the stories and artifacts that painted the rich tapestry of her beloved Kent. Her dedication to history and community was further exemplified in her service as a historical landmark commissioner, a position she held with honor and diligence.

In 2011, Nancy’s contributions to the community were celebrated when she and her husband were crowned as The Old Timer King and Queen of Cornucopia, a testament to their shared love for the town’s traditions and history. This accolade was a reflection of how deeply rooted they were in the fabric of their community and how much their efforts were appreciated by all who knew them.

Nancy’s green thumb brought beauty to the lives of many as she cultivated gardens that were testaments to her nurturing spirit. As a Master Gardener, she not only beautified her own surroundings but also shared her knowledge and passion with others, teaching them to grow their own patches of paradise. Her gardens were a reflection of her inner beauty and her desire to create legacy that would flourish for generations to come.

Described by all who knew her as loving, kind, and selfless, Nancy’s impact on the world was as profound as it was gentle. She lived a life of service, always putting others before herself and finding joy in the happiness of those around her. Her presence was a comfort, her smile a source of joy, and her actions an inspiration.

Nancy A. Simpson’s story is one of love, dedication, and quiet strength. As we bid farewell to this remarkable woman, we take solace in the knowledge that her spirit will guide and inspire us. Her memory will be cherished, her lessons remembered, and her legacy honored through the continued work of the institutions and people she so deeply affected. Nancy’s life was a beautiful garden, and though she has left us, the blooms she nurtured will continue to spread beauty in the world.

Nancy’s memory will be cherished by her surviving family members, husband, Charles “Chuck” Simpson, sister, Sally Klatt, son Mark and his wife Lea Ann Simpson, daughter Stacy Simpson and her husband David Gardenhire, granddaughters Taylor and Kaylee Simpson, and grandsons Evan and Karl Affeldt along with extended family and community. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Grace (Kassner) Francis.

Please join the family and community in celebrating Nancy in an Open House Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 29th, at the Kent Senior Center from 1pm – 4pm (600 E. Smith St, Kent, WA 98030). A Nancy Simpson Memorial Scholarship Fund will be created thru the Greater Kent Historical Society. Donations are welcomed at the celebration of life or thru the Greater Kent Historical Society.

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