Wladyslawa L. Simpkins

Wladyslawa (Wladys) Simpkins,96, formerly of Bedford, NH and Watertown, MA, passed peacefully Monday morning at Bridges By Epoch in Mashpee MA.
She is the daughter of Katherine (Marderowicz) and Wladyslav Wojtasinski.
Born and raised in Dorchester, she attended Perry Normal School and Portia Law School. She was the Assistant to the Army Quartermaster at Fort Devens during WW II and her main responsibility was properly outfitting the troops that were being ordered for overseas duty.

She met the love of her life, Henry (Harry/Hank) Simpkins at a USO dance while he was stationed at Ft Devens. They married in July, 1945, upon his return from overseas and raised their family in Watertown in the house she had purchased as a young, single woman in 1943. The family moved to Bedford, NH in 1957, where she lived until 92 and where in her heart she will forever call "home."
She worked at Jordan Marsh when it first opened and then got her real estate license and was a successful real estate broker for Arthur Brown Realty in Amherst for many years.
She was a Girl Scout Troop Leader, served on the local counsel, and for many years hired/trained the staff for Camp Kettleford in Bedford. She was a volunteer at Catholic Medical Center.
In 1937, after attending Polish language class on Saturday mornings, at the age of 16, Wladys, along with 11 other young girls, formed The Boston Krakowiak Club to continue the traditions of the Polish people through dance and song. Today, after 81 years, The Krakowiak Polish Dancers of Boston is a vibrant and well known international dance troupe.

She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Harry (1987), her infant daughter, Krysia (1959) and her cherished and loyal companion, Pepper, her black lab (2017). As well as, her three brothers: Henry Wojtasinski, Walter Wojtasinski and Ronald Wojtasinski. She is survived by her sister, Helena Brown, 98 years young, of Naples, FL.
Wladys, above all, loved and was proud of her family. She cherished visits with her great grandchildren & regaled anyone who would listen to the accomplishments of her children & grandchildren. She will be remembered for her strength, determination and independent spirit.

She will be missed by her children: Kathy Hubbard & husband, Ed, of Mashpee, MA; Chris Simpkins & his wife, JoAnn, of Bedford, NH; Sande Ambiehl & her husband, Roland, of Laconia, NH; and Hank Simpkins & his wife, Pam, of Lincolnville, ME. Her grandchildren: Jenn Yeomans & her husband, Chris, of Marathon FL; Krisha Dubreuil & her husband, Brian, of Henniker NH; Eddie Hubbard, of Olympic Valley, CA; Lisa MacPherson & her husband, Eric, of Reading, MA; Kara Norman & her husband, Mike, of West Roxbury, MA; Hank Simpkins of Palmetto, FL; Jack Simpkins of Camden, ME and Libby Simpkins of Breckinridge, CO. Her great grandchildren: Matthew and Andrew Dubreuil, Owen MacPherson, Ian and Leah Norman.

The family would like to extend our sincerest thanks and appreciation to the caregivers at Bridges By Epoch in Mashpee for the respect, kindness and care you gave to our mom these past two years and to Beacon Hospice in Hyannis for your comforting care so her final journey was peaceful.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be made to Future in Sight (formerly NH Association of the Blind), Concord, NH www.sightcenter.org

Calling hours will be at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 243 Hanover St, Manchester on Saturday from 11:00 AM until 1:00 with a service to follow in the funeral home chapel at 1:00. A celebration of life will take place at the Puritan, immediately following the service. Committal services will take place at Bedford Center Cemetery later this spring. To view an online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.phaneuf.net