Arlene Simpson

Arlene (McGlone) Simpson, 86, of Monrovia, passed peacefully from this life and was reunited with her beloved husband, Tom, and son, Tommy, while in the care of the Springs of Mooresville. She was born in Ministers Run, WV, on October 2, 1938, the late Wavie Arlon and Laura Mae (Eddy) McGlone. Growing up in the hills of West Virginia and the youngest of two daughters, Arlene’s family was devastated with the loss of her father when she was only 7 years old. Her mother went above and beyond to ensure her daughters were taken care of, thus instilling the value of hard work and dedication into Arlene at an early age. While in sixth grade, she met her future husband, Tom. Later in high school, he took Arlene by the hand and the 68-year love affair was established. After graduating from University High School with the class of 1956, Tom and Arlene were joyously united in marriage. The newlyweds packed their bags and headed west to Indiana to find work, originally settling in Paragon to help on the family farm, they later moved back to West Virginia for Tom to work in the coal mines. When the mines went under, they came back to Indiana to help on the farm again and formed their roots in the small-town life of Monrovia. A devoted mother, Arlene was the Girl Scout Cookie Chairman, a member of the Civic Club, and frequently worked in the concession stand for her son’s games. Strong in faith, she taught vacation bible school from the age of 12, was a member of the Abundant Life Church in Danville, where she played piano, taught Sunday school for 10- to 11-year-old children for almost 60 years, and left a lasting impression on her students, inspiring many to become ministers. Dinner was served at 5pm sharp every evening, and her family looked forward to her scrumptious chicken and dumplings as well as her mouth-watering tomato and dumplings. Possessing a green thumb, Arlene enjoyed working in her flower beds and vegetable gardens, watering the plants with snow water that she collected and stored, then canning the fruits of her labor with enough food to last the winter, and she and Tom kept an immaculate yard. Continuously health conscience and energetic throughout her life, Arlene took an evening walk every day even in the cold. She went all out for Christmas telling her family there wouldn’t be many presents, but low and behold, there was a room full, and the family spent hours opening them all. A garage sale queen, she was regularly on the hunt for her family’s needed items and was truly proud to haggle the seller to the right price on every purchase. She deeply loved her family, and with each generation born, she loved them even more and she frequently bragged on her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Strong-willed and set in her ways, she didn’t accept help and lived life on her own terms. She had a deep connection with her cherished Pomeranians, owning several in her life. Compassionate and loving, Arlene built a large and close-knit family who will forever miss her and her spunky spirit. Along with her parents, Arlene was preceded in death by her husband Tom Simpson, son, Tommy Simpson, and son in law, Dewey Durham. She leaves behind her children, Karen Durham of Indianapolis, and Tim Simpson (wife, Susie) of Southport; sister, Jacqueline Shisler of Morgantown, WV; grandchildren, Troy, Christy, Kari, Teresa, Sean, Marjorie, Samantha, and Jessica; along with 10 great grandchildren. Cremation and Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel in Monrovia. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 11:00 am until a Celebration of Life Memorial Service beginning at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made by mail to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 15829, Arlington, VA, 22215, or by clicking https://diabetes.org/, or to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD, 21741, or by clicking https://www.cancer.org/, and envelopes will be provided during services. To share a favorite story, send an online condolence to the family, or light a candle in Arlene’s memory please visit her tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.

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Arlene Simpson

October 2, 1938 - January 29, 2025