Amherst, Nancy L. (Corthell, Edgington) Simpkins, 68 of Amherst MA formerly of Haverhill MA, passed away on Monday December 22, 2014 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton MA. She was born December 16, 1946 in Haverhill MA, the daughter of Robert and Arline (Penwell) Corthell. Nancy came to Amherst after her graduation from high school to work at the Belchertown State School.  She eventually went to work for Dr. William Truswell and worked for him for over 18 years. She was working for the Western MA Urology Group in Northampton when she retired last December. Nancy’s greatest joy was to work in her gardens, vegetables as well as flowers with her husband Dave who built her raised beds to make it easier on them both. She also enjoyed her canning abilities and putting up her vegetables and her jams and jellies with Dave. After her retirement last December she joined the Crafty Ladies Group at So Congregational Church and enjoyed preparing for the Sleigh Bell Fair full time. She was active in Unity Chapter No 66 of Eastern Star in Amherst for over 30 years and was currently their Treasurer. She was a past Worthy Matron, Deputy Grand Matron, Deputy Grand Marshal and a Grand Representative to Louisiana for Eastern Star.  She was also a Past Worthy Advisor, Mother Advisor and Grand Deputy for the International Order of Rainbow for Girls.

She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend.

Nancy was predeceased by her first husband Jack and her daughter Amy Edgington. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband David J Simpkins of Amherst, her daughter Tracy L. Holhut and her husband Jim of Greenfield, son Wayne Edgington and his wife Jackie, and Judy Edgington, of Florida, her six siblings, Robert C. Corthell (Sharon), Stephen A. Corthell (Patricia), Frederick O. Corthell (Teri), all of Haverhill, her three sisters, Janet C. Gillis of Amherst, Cynthia L. Basiliere of Haverhill and Natalie J. Pineau (Stephen) of Florida. Two Step Daughters, Debra Thurlby (Matt) of Nebraska, Donna Simpkins (Todd) of Connecticut, 5 step grandchildren and many Aunts, Uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Calling hours at The Douglass Funeral Service, 87 No Pleasant St, Amherst MA will be on Sunday December 28, 2014, from 2-5 pm with an Eastern Star Ceremony at 4:30 pm. A graveside service will be held on Monday December 29, 2014 in So. Amherst Cemetery, So. East St, Amherst, at 11:00 am with a memorial service to follow at 12:00 pm at the So. Congregational Church, 1066 So. East St., Amherst, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to South Congregational Church, 1066 So East St, Amherst, MA 01002. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.