Isabell Simpson
Isabell Morrow Simpson was born Feb. 22, 1939, in La Junta to Bruce and Mary Jane (Land) Morrow. She died Dec. 21, 2020, at the Bent County HealthCare Center in Las Animas at the age of 81.
Isabell loved books, sewing, dancing, 4-H, community volunteering and having a cup of tea with friends.
She drove the Bookmobile for many years, taking books to many of the rural areas of southeast Colorado. The Bookmobile holds a special place in the hearts of those who looked forward to the arrival of the library on wheels. Isabell’s grandkids enjoyed going on the Bookmobile to look for books that Grandma would read with them.
Isabell always had a sewing project in the works. She sewed many items of clothing for her kids: Santa Fe Trail Day costumes, dresses, shirts, coats and vests. She had a passion for quilting and made quilts for many over the years. One quilting project Isabell participated in was to sew “Mended Heart” quilts for families affected by 9/11.
Her grandkids fondly remember Grandma teaching them to read, cooking favorite meals, looking for peacock feathers, the Christmas Village, Bag Balm, traveling with books on tape (“Hank the Cowdog” being a favorite) and every drawer having Avon stashed in it.
One thing Isabell was known for was her dislike of eggs and any “fowl” meat, as she put it. The family always had ham to go along with the turkey at Thanksgiving. The other “staple” of holiday meals was Grandma Simpson’s cheesecake. Everyone loved it and always thought she made it especially for them.
Isabell was always game to travel and see the grandkids. When a new grandbaby was born, Isabell would pack her bags and spend as much time as she could with the new addition, wherever the new grandchild was — be it Colorado, Montana, Arizona or even Alaska. Through rain or shine and even a blizzard once, there was no stopping Isabell from being there.
Isabell was preceded in death by her husbands, Richard A. Simpson and Franklin J. Robertson.
She is survived by her brothers, Kenneth and Karen Morrow and Dr. Robert and Darlene Morrow; children, Janet Martinez, Franklin “Bud” and Sylvia Robertson, Barbara and Keith Reynolds, James and Danette Robertson, Thom and Tracy Simpson, Lyndell and Bart Story, Wayne and Jill Simpson, and Brian Sutak; many grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and numerous people who were touched by her kindness and warmth.
All who entered her home were treated as family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend.