After several years of failing health and a great desire to join her Lord and her husband, Evelyn Margaret Simpson McCord slipped peacefully away at her home with her family in her heart.
She was born September 10, 1931, in East Mahoning Twp to Walter and Marion Hamill Simpson. She married her high school sweetheart Sam, and they lived locally and in Ohio before returning to PA to establish a permanent home and raise their family of four.
Ev grew up and nurtured her faith in the Gilgal Presbyterian Church in the hilly countryside where she resided. She became a matriarch to her fellow believers there. Her steadfast faith, love and devotion were well known attributes along with her delicious baking skills which won blue ribbons for apple pies, yeast buns and cinnamon rolls.
She survived breast cancer at 38 and lived the remainder of her life trusting God with every detail and believing He would work everything out. Later in life she took on making lap-robes for friends, neighbors and strangers who might be in need of her warm gesture. They were distributed across the country to mission fields, nursing homes and dialysis centers. She told anyone who contributed fabric to her efforts that they were part of her ministry for the Lord.
Ev loved hearing about the travels and adventure of her family but never wanted to venture too far from her beloved “hill” and she always wanted to know when her chicks were safely back in their nests. As her activities dwindled, she kept family updated on the squirrels, turkeys and deer wandering across her lane.
She is survived by her loyal clan, Brenda Miconi (Robert) of Newark, OH, Shelby Fleck (John) Westerville, OH, Diane Peffer (Donald) Marion Center and Gregory (Patty) Pittsburgh, PA Her Grandchildren, Chadwick, Nicole, Amy, Christopher, Leyna, Nathan and their family’s added excitement and energy to her life. The great grandchildren Dylan, Samuel, Parker, Carter, Molly, Mackenzie and Mason completed her pride and joy.
She is survived by her baby sister Virginia Easley (Robert) of Florida, Sister-in-law, Mona Simpson, nephews, nieces and cousins.
She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years Samuel, parents, in-laws and siblings Richard, Kenneth, and Donald.
She was blessed to have a multitude of friends from far and wide and her constant generous caregivers who provided loving support with hours of stories, jigsaw puzzles and word searches. Michele Daley, her angel comrade, loved her dearly and kept all of us informed of Ev’s well-being while helping keep her in her precious home.
Ev leaves behind an open door of love, a forgiving heart and a legacy of faith.
Friends will be received by the family on Sunday, January 19, 2025, from 4-7 PM in the Bowser Minich Funeral home, Indiana. Services will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025, in the funeral home at 11 AM with Reverend Katelyn Hendrickson officiating. Burial will be in Gilgal Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Gilgal Church and Cemetery Association for ongoing custodial care, at 638 Gilgal Road, Marion Center, PA 15759.
