Hazel JoAnn Simpson

Hazel JoAnn Simpson, age 89 of Ocoee, Florida passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, March 30th, 2024 with her beloved husband and family members by her side. She was born on July 19th, 1934 in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

JoAnn graduated from Harrisburg Hospital’s School of Nursing in 1956 as a registered nurse. She was employed there for six months prior to moving to Liverpool, New York, in 1958 after meeting and marrying Charles Simpson.

During the next ten years, JoAnn worked as a volunteer for the American Red Cross, served as a founder and board member of the Liverpool Community Nursery School and worked as a registered nurse at Crouse Hospital, Syracuse, while raising her own family.

In 1978, JoAnn entered the field of early childhood education at Huntington Family Center as a teacher. She worked there until 1980 when she was appointed head teacher and site supervisor at County North Children’s Center at Radisson. She remained at the Children’s Center until 1981, when she was named head teacher at the Plymouth Infant’s Center. JoAnn worked at the Plymouth Day Care Center as the financial administrator, while also working as a consultant to Loretto’s Intergenerational Child Day Care Center, and attending Empire State College where she received a Bachelor’s degree in the Human Resources Program. In 1985 she was named the director of Loretto Geriatric Center’s Intergenerational Child Day Care Center, working with staff and parents to coordinate in-service education and child care.

After retiring, she and Charles remained in Liverpool and spent time traveling the world together to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Hawaii and the Panama Canal. For several years they spent winters in Sanibel Island Florida where many family memories were made. In 2005 they moved to Ocoee to be near their new grandson.

Her greatest passion was spending time with her loving husband and family, and the joy it brought to her when they could be together, even while living across the country or miles away.

JoAnn is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Charles; her daughters Jeryl Simpson (Bill Leahey Jr), Linda (Geordie) Magee; her sons Gregory (Suzanne) Simpson and Brian (Annaliese) Simpson. She is also survived by her grandchildren Amanda (Brian) Carpenter, Kaitlin Magee and Caden Simpson.

A special thanks to her loving caregivers Sophie and Paulette and the staff at Gentiva and Vitas Hospice for the care provided.

Arrangements and a private service have been entrusted to Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home Winter Garden Chapel. A celebration of JoAnn’s life will be held at a later date.