Nancy Simpson, 79, died peacefully at home on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Born Feb. 25, 1933, in Los Angeles, she attended Burbank High School. She graduated from The Art Center School in Los Angeles in 1955 where she met her lifelong sweetheart, Gerry Simpson. They were married for 58 years and raised twin daughters, Judy and Jodi and son Bradley. She lived in Southern California, and the young family moved to Tri-Cities, Wash., in 1966 until 1981. During these years she founded a technical and commercial advertising agency “Simpson Advertising and Design” which employed five people. In 2000 Nancy and Gerry settled on beautiful Whidbey Island.

Throughout her artistic career, Nancy was active as a designer, art teacher, fine artist and spiritual leader to a great many people. American Artist Magazine selected Nancy’s work to accompany that of other Northwest artists on a national tour of major US cities. In later years, Nancy turned to ceramics and glass as additional expressions of her artistic talents. One of her recent accomplishments was the design and installation of a mendala, at Unity of Whidbey in Langley. At eight feet in diameter, it is thought to be the largest mendala in the Western United States.

Nancy had many passions in her life and being a wife and mother was one of them. Her energy, love and numerous domestic talents where always there to sustain her family. She was supportive of anything her children and grandchildren strived for and encouraged them always. Her compassion to help others is a gift she has passed down to her family as well as those she met along the way.

Nancy was a longtime member and past board president of Unity of Whidbey and active participant in The Artists Co-op, Course in Miracles and many other support groups of the community.

Survivors include her loving husband Gerry; daughters Judy Simpson of Seattle and Jodi Sacco, husband Tom, and grandsons Michael and John of Huntington Beach, Calif.; and Bradley Simpson, wife Su and granddaughter Cailin of Beijing, China. She is also survived by nine nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Whidbey Island on Jan. 12, 2013. Details will be announced at a later date.

Memorial contributions are welcome and can be made in Nancy Simpson’s name to Unity of Whidbey Building Fund, P.O. Box 22, Clinton, WA 98236.