Pat was predeceased by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her three sons, John D. (Elizabeth) Simpson of Marianna; Michael T. (Kay) Simpson of Tallahassee, and Mark F. Simpson of Cottondale; two grandchildren, Kathryn and Gabrielle Simpson.
Pat was very involved in community affairs. Her lifelong love of reading led her to be a strong advocate for the establishment of a public library in the county. She worked tirelessly with the Jackson County Commission, the Historical Society Committee, and the Friends of the Library to achieve this goal.
Pat volunteered at the library for many years before she was hired as a Family Literary Coordinator. Pat served on the board for this six county Panhandle Library Literacy Consortium which she had helped initiate. She helped in applying for the first Vista Grant for the six county consortiums. Pat was the first to train many new Visa Volunteers and to offer literary services to the people of Jackson County and to the inmates in the Federal Prison. Her program has been used as a model for countless programs.
Pat was very active in the Marianna Woman's Club having been a member since 1960. She served as secretary for many years and held almost every responsible office during her five decades of services, which included Secretary, Parliamentarian, Historian, and Volunteer Assistant.
Rita Maudin, a longtime friend and director of the Calhoun County Library summed it up with this tribute to Pat: "She was one of the most intelligent and enlightened people I have ever had the pleasure to count as one of my friends; there was never a false note; never a dull moment; never a disrespectful comment about people who had less or who were less educated; she knew who she was and valued herself and she valued others just as highly."
There will be a memorial mass for Margaret Patricia Simpson on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church with Reverend Norman Bray officiating.
Expressions of sympathy may be submitted online at www.mariannachapelfh.com.
