Dorothy Simpson

01.08.26

Dorothy Simpson, age 79

May 31, 1946 - January 8, 2026

She was a force of nature.

A generous spirit, fiercely devoted mother and grandmother, and a woman whose

love burned bright and unapologetic, she lived a life defined by resilience, creativity,

and an unshakable sense of justice. Her children, grandchildren, and great-

grandchild were her world, her pride, her purpose, her greatest joy.

Married for 52 years to her beloved husband, Joseph Lee Simpson, she built a life

rooted in commitment and grit. Together they raised four children, welcomed five

grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, creating a family bound not just by love,

but by strength. Family wasn’t just important to her, it was everything. As her

children say, we didn’t just lose our mom; we lost our backbone.

Her home was a sanctuary. A place where Sunday dinners were sacred, where candles glowed, Hallmark and Lifetime movies played, and every holiday table was arranged just right. It was a home filled with dogs and cats, flowers, yard decorations, jars of carefully stored food lining the garage walls, and freezers stocked with meals made to nourish and comfort. She believed deeply in the joy of simple pleasures, and she made those pleasures feel extraordinary.

Creativity flowed through her hands. She loved arts and crafts, had an impeccable eye for interior design, and embroidered hundreds of tea towels. She collected everything, especially rocks from her travels, and cherished Santa Fe and the landscapes of New Mexico. During the pandemic, she sewed thousands of masks, freely giving them to her community and to rural and Native communities across New Mexico, because caring for others wasn’t optional for her, it was instinct.

A Registered Nurse who graduated with honors, she dedicated her life to healing, advocacy, and service. Self-taught in nearly everything she did, she possessed a keen intuition, a sharp intellect, and a lifelong hunger for knowledge. She was politically engaged, outspoken, and unafraid to challenge anyone when she believed something wasn’t right. She taught her children how to vote, how to advocate, and how to stand their ground.

Independent, opinionated, obstinate—and proud of it—she could not be told “no.” Her fire was real and demanded respect. Her sarcasm was legendary and lovingly passed down to her daughters and granddaughters, along with her confidence, strength, and refusal to give up.

She loved the Denver Broncos. She loved shopping. She loved cooking, dogs, and spontaneous adventures. She loved loudly, intensely, and without condition.

She taught her family to be a force of nature, to take up space, to bend when necessary, and to endure. Her strength came not just from standing firm, but from knowing when to let go. She had the rare gift of turning nothing into everything.

She conquered insurmountable odds daily and came out shining brighter than the sun. Every trait she carried, her intelligence, resilience, sass, and strength, was earned the hard way. Nothing was given. Everything was built.

She taught her family to love the outdoors, animals, and faith. Some remember her teaching them to pray as small children: “Let’s talk to God… Hi God, it’s me again.” That quiet, steady faith carried her through everything.

She never gave up.

Her love was unwavering, generous, and fierce, even in the face of mistakes, even in the hardest moments. It lives on in every strong daughter, son, every confident grandchild, every act of courage and compassion her family carries forward.

She was intense. She was spunky. She was unstoppable.

And she will be deeply, painfully, forever missed.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Joseph Lee Simpson.

She leaves behind an adoring family. Children: Steven Lee Simpson, Lisa (Steve) Valdez, Lieslie (Orrin) Velarde, Noah G. Simpson (Joseph Skeets); grandchildren: Sarah Sanchez, Joshua Simpson (Kora Griffith), Faith (Leo) Lopez, Everette Velarde, Kendall Velarde, and one great-grandchild: Jeremiah Sanchez. Also two fur babies, ShittyKitty and Emilee Marigold.

Arrangements lovingly made by Comi Funeral Home.