Mary Simpson

Mary Kemper Simpson died Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at her home in Newport. Born 101 years ago in Newark, NY, she was a daughter of the late Peter and Charlotte Bartle Kemper. After graduating from Mt. Holyoke College and the New York School of Design, she and her sister founded and ran a successful interior design business in New York City and Rochester, NY.In 1936, she married Robert P. Simpson, an Air Force officer. Together they served at various posts in this country and in Germany and Morocco. In 1982, as a widow, she moved to Newport. She worked for many years as a Red Cross volunteer at Newport Hospital and as a member of the vestry and a docent at Trinity Church.She is survived by her daughter, Constance S. Adkins of Newton, MA, her son, Robert K. Simpson of Alexandria, VA, and five grandchildren.A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 6, 2007 at 4 pm in Trinity Church, Queen Anne?s Square, Newport.In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of Newport and Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 or to St. Jude?s Children?s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.