Simpson-obit-webWAKEFIELD — Anita L. (Amirault) Simpson, 78, passed away at Woburn Nursing Center on Dec. 20.

Anita was born in Melrose on June 2, 1936 to the late Samuel and Helen (Vacon) Amirault.

She was raised in Melrose, graduated from St. Mary Grammar School, Melrose High School, Class of 1954 and has been a lifelong resident.

Mrs. Simpson worked as the activities coordinator for the Congregational Retirement Homes in Melrose at the Cochrane House for 12 years. Anita was a dedicated wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt to her large extended family.

She was involved in Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts when her children were younger, she was a lifelong member of St. Mary Church, a former CCD teacher at St. Mary, a member of the Christian Family Movement and a round table commissioner at Camp Nihan in Saugus. Mrs. Simpson was a member of the Melrose Emblem Club, the Melrose Garden Club. She loved to travel, enjoyed cake decorating and was an excellent cook.

Anita was the beloved wife of the late Andrew G. Simpson. She was the devoted mother of Louise Quigley of Melrose, Kathleen Childress of Melrose, the late Dianna Hall, Doreen Stubbs of New Hampshire, Robert Hall of Melrose, Robin Woolaver of Tewksbury, Stephen Hall of Georgetown, Christine Hall of Saugus, Matthew Hall of Malden and Gary Hall of Saugus. She was the former wife of Robert A. Hall Jr. of Florida. She was the cherished sister of Louie Amirault, Marilyn Waitt, Victor Amirault, Dianne Newhall, Josephine Alagata, Franklin Amirault, Mary Amirault and the late Samuel Amirault Jr. She is also survived by 16 Hall grandchildren, 5 Hall great- grandchildren, seven Simpson stepchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The funeral was from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster St., Melrose, on Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Church, Herbert Street, Melrose at 10 a.m.

Interment at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Jimmy Fund, The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline MA 02445-7226 or @ www.jimmyfund.org.

To send a message of condolence please visit www.gatelyfh.co