Phyllis Mae Simpson

Phyllis Mae (Hanson) Simpson of Saco, 74, died of natural causes on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015, at the Phillips County Hospital.

She was born in Malta and attended Malta Schools. She was proud of her perfect attendance through eighth grade. She was a member of Who's Who in America for her clarinet playing abilities. She looked forward to her continued friendships with monthly lunches with the '59ers.

She married Larry Simpson June 2, 1959, in Malta, and they made their home in rural Saco. She was a homemaker and raised her three boys. When the boys were younger she could be found baking them a homemade treat just before the boys came home on the bus. Her pies, buns and carmel rolls were out of this world. It seems like the boys always had a friend staying over and were always treated just like family. She was known for her storytelling abilities and could make everyone laugh. She was a well known seamstress who made prom dresses, wedding dresses and alterations for her loved ones. She always looked forward to the weekends when friends and families would visit.

Later she went to work at the Sleeping Buffalo store, always with a welcoming smile. People stopped by for a visit and cup of coffee with Phyllis's sense of humor. While at the Buffalo, the clients from MOI would use the pools then get a treat at the store. While there, the manager from MOI saw her rapport with the clients and asked her to go to work for them. She worked at MOI from 1985-2008 as a habilitation specialist. She returned to what she really loved - cooking, knitting and taking care of grandkids. Everyone was always welcome and still are welcome to their home.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, Henry and Lillian (Fortin) Hanson; her mother- and father-in-law, Walt and Grace Simpson; three sisters, Betty Lou Hanson, JoAnn Jacobson and Billy Hanson; three brothers-in-law, Leonard Gilman, Clarence Simpson and Elwood Simpson and two sisters-in-law, Myrna (Simpson) Erickson and Hazel (Simpson) Woodall.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Larry; sons and their families, Clint and his wife, Janna, their daughter, Amber and her husband, Joe, and baby Dylan; Audie and his wife, Liz, son Brennan and daughter Lindsey and her husband, Brodie, and their children, Sam, Brynlie and Bentley; Larry Ross and his wife, Jody; sons, Ashten and Cody, daughters Kaylee and Laynee; brothers, Jerry Hanson and his wife, Alice, Eugene Hanson and his wife, Linda, David Hanson and his wife, Margaret; sisters, Barb Darrah and her husband, Bob, Patsy Gilman, Rosie Russell, Connie Hasler and her husband, Tom, and Greta Barnard and her husband, Norman; one brother-in-law, Irvin Simpson; one sister-in-law, Betty Simpson; and numerous nieces and nephews, who she greatly loved.

The family received friends at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, at the Kirkwood Memorial Chapel in Malta. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, at the Kirkwood Memorial Chapel in Malta. Interment will be in the Grandview Cemetery in Saco. Condolences for the family may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.