Rita E. Simpson

Rita E. Simpson, 93, formerly of Willet, NY, passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2009, at the home of her son in Mt. Pleasant, NC.

Born in Oliphant, PA on February 16, 1916, Mrs. Simpson was a daughter of the late James and Emily Tinsley Mackrell. A longtime resident of this area, she was a communicant of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Cincinnatus. Prior to her retirement, she was employed at Smith-Corona. After her retirement, she remained active in the Willet/Cincy Sr. Center.

She is survived by her children, Alice McIntyre, of Mt. Pleasant, NC, May (James) Russell of Mt. Pleasant, NC, Eugene Simpson of Mebane, NC, Patricia (John) Rice of Cincinnatus, Robert (Joy) Simpson of Mt. Pleasant, NC, and Jane "Deb" (Jim) Duncan of Cortland. She also leaves behind her brothers, Robert Joseph Mackrell and Thomas Ervin Mackrell; 13 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband, John "Jack" Simpson in 1999 and a son, John W. Simpson in 2001. She was also predeceased by her siblings, Joseph Patrick, Lavina Mackrell, John Joseph, Mary Emily, David William, Eugene Francis, Jane Mary, DeSales Catherine, James Donald, and Agnes Mary.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Reverend Richard Cirba as celebrant. Burial will be in the Willet Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The family will be present to receive friends at the K.L. Sharp Funeral Home, Cincinnatus, on Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Simpson may be directed to the Coltrane Life Center, 330 Corban Ave. SE, Concord, NC 28025 or the Willet Burial Association, c/o Carol Crane, Willet, NY 13863.