Marguerite Lucile "Marla" Simpson

HAMILTON - Marguerite Lucile "Marla" Simpson, 89, of Hamilton passed away Sunday, November 11, 2012 at the Marcus Daly Hospice and Palliative Care Center. She was born in Parkston, SD on November 27, 1922 to Elmer Mowry and Bernice Morrison Mowry and was raised by her grand-parents, Lester Mowry and Alice Dunwoody Mowry.
Marla married Elmer W. Bernhard on November 28, 1942 and they were later divorced. She was employed as a legal secretary, and business manager for many architectural firms in Seattle. She worked for John Graham while he was designing the Space Needle and for James Chiarelli while he was designing the Seattle Opera House for the 1962 World's Fair as well as many other architectural and engineering firms. She ended her career with Nova-Tech Engineering in Edmonds, WA.
Mom was ahead of her time with her success in a man's world of business in an era where such success was considered unique. She was both frugal and generous to a fault, saving and gifting in equal measure. Marriage, the war, and later a thriving career interrupted her college education, but the education of her children was of prime importance and she was very proud to have both of them finish college degrees and become life-long learners just as she was.
Marla was a part of the Greatest Generation and was faithful in displaying the American flag at her home every day. As a civilian, she worked at the air base in Hondo, TX during World War II while her husband served overseas.
Marla married Orv Simpson in June of 1974. She loved growing both plants and children. Her roses were beautiful and she never took their beauty for granted. She was crazy about dogs and other animals and enjoyed the companionship of her little dog, Cynder, until her death. Her unfailing faith was strong and her sense of right, wrong and fairness toward her fellow man was unending. She loved to read and could devour many magazines a month as well as books and poetry. Her friends were forever and she still corresponded with friends from her childhood as well as welcoming new friends into her life easily. She loved to cook and also enjoyed sharing a meal with friends at the Coffee Cup Cafe in Hamilton as often as possible.
Marla was preceded in death by her grand-parents, parents and her first husband Elmer W. Bernhard. She is survived by 2 children, James Bernhard and wife Donna Bernhard of Lynnwood, WA and Janie Vogt and husband Stephen Vogt of Hamilton, MT; her granddaughter, Sasha Bernhard of Bellevue, WA; and her faithful poodle companion, Cynder.
The family suggests memorials be made to Marcus Daly Hospice Endowment fund (1200 Westwood Dr, Hamilton 59840) or to the Bitterroot Humane Association (262 Fairgrounds Rd., Hamilton 59840).