A life of community service was everything to Geneva resident

For longtime Geneva resident Caroline Simpson, community service came naturally.

"I strongly believe one should give back. It's a thing people should do," Simpson said, when she and her late husband, Bruce, received the Wood Community Service Award from the Geneva Chamber of Commerce in 1998.

Simpson, age 90, died Thursday, according to her son, Burney.

She grew up in Geneva, and lived throughout the Tri-Cities during the first part of her marriage. The couple moved to Washington, D.C., for about 10 years, then returned to Geneva, her son said.

Simpson volunteered with TriCity Family Services; Garfield Farm; Golden Diners; the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry; the "Words and Wisdom" program at J.B. Nelson Elementary School; and the Geneva History Museum.

She was a member of the Geneva Garden Club, and was a trustee on the Geneva Public Library board. Simpson also worked on programs fighting illiteracy and homelessness, through her church, Calvary Episcopal in Batavia. Simpson was also a member of the Fox Valley Art Institute Guild and the Geneva Beautification Committee, and volunteered at her children's schools.

The family has specified that memorial gifts be sent to the Geneva History Museum, 113 S. Third St.

"History and tradition was very important to her. She thought it was important its (Geneva's) history, its value, be passed on from generation to generation," Burney Simpson said.

Her husband was, among other things, a Geneva alderman.

"They've always been tireless workers for Geneva, always willing to work beyond the call of duty no matter what organization they are serving," former plan commission chairman Dave Rogers said when he presented the Wood Award to the Simpsons.

"I've never known Caroline to say 'no' to anything."

Caroline Simpson is survived by her children, Christopher, Thomas, Burney and Bruce; two grandchildren; two sisters; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral Mass is at 11 a.m., following a visitation at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, at Calvary Episcopal Church, 222 South Batavia Avenue, Batavia. Private interment will follow at Garfield Cemetery in Campton Hills.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Friends of the Geneva History Museum, 113 S. 3rd St., Geneva, IL 60134.