Elizabeth Ann Simpson

Elizabeth Ann Hamilton Simpson entered into eternal rest on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 12:30pm. Elizabeth was born on June 13, 1921 in Bridgeport, Nebraska to Fred Franklin Hamilton and Zoa Belle McLaughlin Hamilton. She was the third of five children.

She was preceded in death by older brothers, William Merwin Hamilton, John Colby Hamilton; younger sister, Mary Lee Hall and younger brother, Fred Albert Hamilton who died of spinal meningitis at age 5.

After high school, Elizabeth entered St. Joseph's Nursing School in Alliance, Nebraska where she earned her RN certification. She enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps in 1942 and was stationed in Camp Roberts, California where she met and married First Lieutenant Chester (Chet) L. Simpson in 1943. She was released from the army in March 1944 and returned to Bridgeport to stay with her parents. Her first child, Susan Lee Simpson Berbec was born in June 1944. Chet served in the Pacific Theater for the remainder of the war. Chet remained in the military and returned in 1945 to rejoin Elizabeth and Susan.

Son Fred Eldon Simpson was born in Alliance in 1946. The family then moved to Cleveland, Ohio, Chet's next duty station. It was here Elizabeth developed her lifelong love of MLB baseball while attending many Indian games. Her favorite pitchers were Bob Feller and Bob Lemon.

Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas was next on the family's world travels. Here, Susan contracted bulbar polio. Elizabeth's constant attention and professional nursing care enabled Susan to be one of the very few survivors of this deadly disease.

Next, was Francis E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Sons Peter Cameron Simpson and Chester LeRoy Simpson, Jr. were born in Cheyenne in 1951 and 1953 respectively. The next hop was a long one across the Pacific Ocean to Manila, the Philippine Islands where Chet was assigned to the U.S. Military Port of Manila. Chet and Elizabeth enjoyed the beautiful golf courses and for the first and only time, Elizabeth had domestic help to assist her with household chores.

Upon returning to the United States, the family landed in Bossier City, Louisiana. Fred's marching band was State Champion at the competition in Hammond while Susan's science project took her to the National Science Fair in Indianapolis.

The family next sailed to Europe, all the way to Berlin, Germany. On a clear Sunday morning in 1961, the East Germans stretched concertina wire along the political line between East and West Berlin. This was the foundation of the Berlin Wall and a riveting period of history through which to live. Since Chet was USAF Provost Marshall at Templehof Central Airdrome, his job was both stressful and dangerous.

Susan graduated from high school as the salutatorian of her class and earned the H. H Hap Arnold Scholarship awarded for her academic excellence. Susan returned to the USA in 1962 to attend P.E.O.'s Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri. Elizabeth used her seamstress skills to provide Susan's fashionable college wardrobe. Elizabeth and Fred's biggest fan as his Berlin Cubs were undefeated in 1962 and won the USAREUR high school football championship.

From Berlin, the family rotated to Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Chet was the USAF Provost Martial at Otis Air Force Base near Buzzards Bay. JFK was President and the Kennedys were a very real presence on the Cape, frequently flying in and out of Otis AFB. When the President was assassinated, the entire Cape shut down in mourning. He hadn't just been a face on the news but someone seen on the street.

Chet retired in July 1964 after 31 years of active duty service and the family moved to Sacramento, California. In 1965, Elizabeth and Chet bought their first, and only, home.

Chet was tired of traveling but Elizabeth did not completely settle down. She and her siblings decided to have annual reunions to celebrate life. They planned to meet at each other's homes, alternating each year, and then skip funerals when they rolled around. Mom attended all of the reunions, usually traveling with her sister Mary Lee and her husband Bob. She also made other trips with Mary Lee and Bob, traveling the country from the left coast to the right coast, enjoying the many beautiful sights wherever they went. One of her favorite vistas was the Painted Desert.

Chet became ill in December of 1989 and died in August 1990. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. In 1996, daughter Susan retired from IBM in New York and came to California to share Elizabeth's home and become her caregiver.

Elizabeth maintained a full and active life. She was a life long reader, knitter and seamstress and once even tried her hand at quilting. Her knitting needles produced hundreds of sweaters, scarves, shawls, hats and blankets for family, friends, church members and anyone who just needed something made with love. Of course, she was best known for her hobby of sending cards for all occasions. Postage stamps were always the correct answer as to what to get her for special occasions. We all enjoyed her birthday cards, get well cards, thinking of you cards, sympathy cards, anniversary cards and just for no reason at all cards. Elizabeth was an avid sports fan. She rooted for the Oakland A's and San Francisco Giants and enjoyed golf and tennis on TV. She was also a film buff, especially the Hollywood classics such as "Gone With The Wind."

She was a member of Parkside Community Church since 1966 and served as the nursery attendant for 40 years. She was initiated into her mother's chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood in 1941. She was devoted to her family, children and grandchildren.

Elizabeth is survived by her daughter Susan Simpson Berbec of Sacramento and her son Peter Berbec of Poughkeepsie, New York; her son Fred Simpson, his wife Jean and their children Deborah Simpson, Michael Simpson and wife Stacey, of Miami, FL and Michael's son Zachary Simpson of Lucedale, Mississippi; her son Peter Simpson, his wife Janet and their daughter Chloe Simpson of Clarksburg, CA, son Joseph Simpson of West Sacramento, California; son William Simpson and his wife Caitlin of Pasadena, CA; and son Chester Simpson, Jr. and his wife Ann LaBorde of Santa Clara, CA.

Interment will be at the convenience of the family at Arlington National Cemetery in the same grave occupied by her husband.

A celebration of Elizabeth's life will be held at Parkside Community Church on Saturday 27, April at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.

Memorial donations in Elizabeth's name may be made to Parkside Community Church; 5700 South Land Park Drive; Sacramento, CA 95822 or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harry A. Nauman & Son Funeral Home. Please visit www.harryanauman.com