Dolores "Dee" Simpkins

Dolores Simpkins was born to Philip and Renee Vetari, April, 4th 1940 in Michigan. She was welcomed to the family by her older sister, Antoinette. The family later moved to Arizona and then eventually settled in Southern California. This was to be their home state for several decades up to the present time.

Dolores, known as “Dee”, attended Arcadia High School. Before her 20th birthday, she was to meet the love of her life, Gordon Simpkins. The young couple married on February 20, 1960. They were blessed with their first child, Mathew Simpkins in 1961. They settled in their new home in Glendora, California. Dolores and Gordon added to their happy brood with their daughter, Karen in 1965 and the baby of the family, Deanna born in 1969. Dolores was a feisty Italian mother. She was a short little woman with a big personality. She never had an “inside” voice or was restrained in an opinion. She was a wonderful mother, wife and daughter to her nearby parents. She kept her home moving smoothly. She was a great cook, sewed clothes for herself and the girls, loved to re-wallpaper the kitchen and made every holiday and birthday a special occasion. She also volunteered in schools, was involved in boy scouts and girl scouts, and made sure everyone made it to Mass on Sundays. Together with her husband, Gordon, and their many friends they camped and boated on a regular basis, making memories for a lifetime.

Eventually, they moved to a little larger home with a view of the San Gabriel foothills. This was to be Dee’s home for the rest of her life. Throughout their marriage, Gordon worked in the Elevator Industry. Dolores worked as well, including at Bank of America, at the Rectory of St. Dorothy’s Catholic Church, and at Citrus Community College. Her last position for 10 years was with the Real Estate Brokerage of Carole Ring. When work or her family wasn’t keeping her busy, Dolores enjoyed many interests over her lifetime. She enjoyed doll making, sewing, knitting, cake decorating, ceramic painting, floral arranging and collecting. (Especially the collecting!) Dee was a passionate shopper! She loved beautiful clothing and jewelry. She even modeled for Nordstrom’s for a short time. She shopped for herself and bought generous gifts for her family and friends. She filled the house with collectable bird figurines, wall plates, Swarovski crystals, Boyd’s Bears, Goebels, Annalee’s and raku pottery. She thrived being surrounded by things she loved.

Even more, she loved the five grandchildren that were to be hers. The Simpkins family grew in 1981 when Dee’s first son, Mat married Pam. Dee was ecstatic when her first granddaughter Ronell was born in 1984, followed by Nathen born in 1986. Dee’s daughter, Karen was married to David Port in 1989. They gave birth to the third grandchild, Jacob born in 1991, followed by Haley in 1997. Dee was blessed one more time, with the birth of her last grandson, Drake born to Deanna, in 2001. Dolores stayed involved with all the kids and grandchildren spread between California and Las Vegas. She was a loving grandmother and the very glue to keep the family together. She even went on to have four darling great-grandchildren - Landon, Leanne, Gavin and Haidyn. She will be sorely missed by all.

But she will be missed most of all by her loving husband Gordon. In their golden years they enjoyed traveling in RV’s, trips to Hawaii, movies, dining and the theatre. They were rarely apart for all of their 57 years together. Their marriage is a testament to love and loyalty. We are so very proud of the family Dolores created. May she rest in God’s everlasting light.