NAUGATUCK — Joanne Simpson, 72, wife of Frank Simpson, died peacefully Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at her home surrounded by her loving family and friends.
Joanne was born Aug. 14, 1942 in Waterbury, a daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Butler) Flaherty, she attended local schools and graduated from Notre Dame Academy. Joanne was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend. She loved to travel, especially to Charlestown, R.I. Joanne enjoyed entertaining and always loved planning a party with her husband, Frank. Joanne was an advocate for mentally and physically handicapped individuals, whom she worked with through the Department of Mental Health and Retardation.
In addition to her husband, Frank, Joanne is survived by her daughter, Maureen Greene and her husband, Len Greene; her son, Brian Simpson; her son, Kenneth Simpson and his spouse, Ken Adams; her son, Sean Simpson and his wife, Heather Simpson; her grandchildren, Alan Lee, Jr., and Kyle Patrick Simpson; her great-granddaughter, Callie Lee; her sister, Mary Rodman and her husband, Charles Rodman; her sister and brother-in-law, Marie and John Simpson; her sister-in-law, Judy Flaherty; her sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Tony Bridge, and many nieces and nephews. Joanne was predeceased by her brothers, Michael and Thomas Flaherty.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St., Naugatuck, and those attending Mass are asked to please go directly to church. Burial will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Watertown. Calling hours are Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck.
In lieu of flowers, to honor Joanne’s memory, contributions may be made to the COPD Foundation, 20 F Street NW, Suite 200A, Washington, DC 20001.
To leave an online condolence, visit www.buckmillerthurstonmengacci.com.
