Frances Louise Simpson passed away at home surrounded by family on December 17, 2021 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Fran, 67, was the seventh of nine children of Kenneth Field Cushman and Mary Evelyn (Husk) Cushman. She grew up on the Cushman dairy farm on Middlebrook Road in Ferrisburgh where she developed her unstoppable work ethic.
She was a 1972 graduate of Vergennes Union High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Vermont in 1976. Fran got her start as a horticulturalist when she was still in high school when she built her first greenhouse with her father.
She and her husband Charles (Chuck) Simpson started Simpson’s Greenhouse in Waltham in 1979. A focused and disciplined worker, Fran steadily grew her business, eventually adding eighteen greenhouses. She also raised three children among the pansies, Petunias, and mums.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, being outdoors, and any type of dessert. She was a natural at growing just about every plant.
She is survived by her loving husband Charles Simpson, her son Jesse Simpson and wife Katrina of Underhill, her daughter Heather Simpson and husband Josh Trudeau of Bristol, and son Travis Simpson of Waltham. She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Evelyn and Laura Simpson and Charles, Henry, and John Trudeau.
Fran is also survived by her siblings: Patty Ganson of Vergennes, Carolyn Allen of Charlotte, Margaret Shelley and her husband Gary of Berlin, Fred Cushman of New Haven, Lynn Cushman and his wife Julie of Redmond, WA, Kenny Cushman and his wife Shayne of Virginia, Wendy Ringer of Vergennes and Elaine Carroll and her husband Matt of Boston as well as many extended relatives.
She is predeceased by her parents, and brothers-in-law Wayne Ganson, John Allen, and Tony Ringer. We want to thank the staff of Addison County Home Health and Hospice for keeping mom comfortable in her final days.
Visiting hours will be Sunday, December 26th from 2 to 5pm at the Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes, everyone is welcome, and please wear a mask. The funeral service will be held at Brown-McClay on December 27th at 10 am and will be limited to family only due to COVID restrictions. A private burial will follow at Gage Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Legion Post 14 Vergennes, VT 05491. To send online condolences to her family or for those who want to watch the video of the service which will be located on the bottom of the obit please visit www.brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com
I am saddened to hear of your loss and want to send my deepest condolences. May God give you comfort during this time and bring you peace.
Mary Daniels Harrison
So sorry to see you have lost a family member.
Dear Simpson and Cushman families.
We send our deepest sympathy to you for the passing of your beloved Fran.
Sincerely
Andy and Cheryl Bessette, class of ’72’
To the Simpson Family and Cushman Siblings,
Our deepest condolences to you all. The comfort is that Fran is in no pain anymore and is being reunited with her “Heavenly” group of family and friends. Keep her memories in your heart. God bless.
She always enjoyed her chats with you at the grocery store. Thanks for the condolences, say hi to Gabby for me.
Travis
So sorry to hear of your loss. Sending you my condolences and prayers to get through this tough time.
So sorry for your loss, she was a very sweet and kind lady.
Dave,
Thanks; she thought your family was great, including you!! Thank your mom for the flowers.
Travis
I’m so sorry to hear of her passing. She was always such a sweet lady with a nice smile.
Our sympathies and prayers are with your family at this time of great loss.
To the Simpson family and the Cushman siblings and family. My deepest sympathy for your loss. May her smile and memories of loving times past sustain you in days to come.
Karlene DeVine
Wish I could be there with the family today. Miss you all a lot and sending all our love,
Leigh & Roland
So sorry to hear of Fran’s passing. Condolences to all the family.
Chuck and family very sorry to hear about Fran
I was so sorry to hear of Fran’s death. I didn’t know her well, but when I walked by the greenhouses with my dog, we always waved, and sometimes stopped to chat about the weather, or the flowers. I’ll miss her friendliness and her smile, and just knowing that a good person like her was around.