Helen E (Michalak) Simpson, 97, of Portsmouth, NH passed away peacefully in her sleep April 09, 2022 at the Pines Assisted Living Facility in Newmarket, NH.
Born February 24, 1925 in Springfield MA, she was the daughter of Josephine and Peter Michalak.
She graduated from Technical High School in 1943 and worked for New England Telephone in Springfield MA. She married Robert W Simpson of Portsmouth NH in 1948 and moved to the Portsmouth NH area where she raised her family.
Helen lived a long, healthy, and full life. She was co-owner and manager of the Hotel Malcom in Hampton NH, Simpson’s Cottages, Motor Court and Simpson’s Real Estate office in Rye NH and co-owner of The Red Lion Restaurant in Portsmouth, NH. After raising a family, she and Robert divorced. She became the Manager of the Bed and Bath Department at Porteous Department Store in Newington, NH until she retired in 1992. She enjoyed many fun social gatherings with all her Porteous coworkers and friends.
Her favorite activities were visiting with family and friends, strolling the Marginal way, days at the beach, traveling, and yearly visits to Las Vegas for the shows, dinners and slot machines with family. Her favorite past times were Crossword puzzles, Bingo, Dominos and watching The Golden Girls.
She was predeceased by her brother Chester Michalak (Jean) and sisters Jane Mocadlo (Joe) and Irene Gauger and niece Sandy Spiridi.
She is survived by her loving family, daughter Carol Takacs and husband Tim of Dallas, TX, and son Mark Simpson and wife Kelly of Portsmouth, NH; her grandsons Justin Simpson, Jordon Simpson, Andrew Fasulo and Steven Fasulo; Great Granddaughter Charlotte Fasulo; Brother-in-law Carl Gauger; and nephews David Michalak and Carl Gauger Jr, and nieces Theresa Lindsey, Annette Pellegrino, Kathy Young, Barbara Flaherty, Linda Kipetz, Donna Natale, Nancy Williams.
The family would like to thank all her caregivers at The Pines of Newmarket and give a special thanks to Gail Bukowski for going above and beyond in making Helen feel special and ensuring she didn’t miss the bingo games she loved so much.
There will be a private memorial celebration. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marginal Way Preservation Fund, PO Box 1455, Ogunquit ME 03907 or at www.marginalwayfund.org/donate/
Posted online on April 14, 2022
Published in Portsmouth Herald/Foster’s Daily Democrat/Seacoast Sunday, Portsmouth Herald/Foster’s Daily Democrat/Seacoast Sunday
