Deborah Simpson, 60 / March 29, 1950 — Oct. 23, 2010
Published 2:29 am Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Deborah K. Simpson, 60, of Buchanan, lost her battle with ALS at Hospice House in South Bend on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010.
She was born on March 29, 1950, in Niles, to the late Robert A. and Dorothy “Dutch” M. (Schanbacher) Cochran. Debi married John D. Simpson on May 22, 1969 in Niles.
Deborah Simpson, 60
After running a daycare in her own home for 22 years, Debi went to work for Logan Industries serving the developmentally disabled population for 15 years. Debi loved working at Logan.
Debi was life-long member of the Girl Scouts and had been a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. She enjoyed making lap blankets and collecting donations for the veterans’ hospital in Ann Arbor. Debi was an advocate for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and made many trips to Washington D.C. One of her greatest accomplishments was lobbying for Michigan to become smoke-free. Debi also enjoyed raising money for the American Cancer Society through her Relay for Life team “Cubbies for a Cure.” During her free time, Debi enjoyed scrapbooking, quilting, genealogy and Farmville on Facebook (farm is up for sale … lol).
Debi is survived by John; her daughter, Ann (Troy) Simpson-Lyons of Buchanan; her son, Brian (Kem) Simpson of Buchanan; four grandchildren, Ricky Ritchie, Krystal Ritchie, Tiffany Simpson and Nicole Lyons.
Debi is also survived by her sister, Randy Asmus of Niles, and brother, Shummy Cochran of Dowagiac.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27 at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010 at Hoven Funeral Home with Carl Backus officiating.
Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan.
In lieu of flowers, Debi requests donations to be made to her Niles Buchanan Relay for Life team. Donations can be sent to American Cancer Society in care of Shelli Knoll at 1610 Church St., Baroda, MI 49101. Please put “Cubbies for a Cure” in the memo.
