Mary Jane Simpler, lifetime auxiliary member

Mary Jane “Sue” Simpler, 79, of Milton, passed away Friday, May 27, 2022, at Christiana Hospital in Newark surrounded by her loving family.  She was born April 25, 1943, in Milford, daughter of the late William Franklin Winfield and Martha Jane (Wood) Swain.

Sue grew up in Harrington around the family-owned Swain Hotel, and spent the summers at the family home in Oak Orchard on the Indian River.  After marriage, she moved to  Rehoboth Beach, where she raised a beautiful family. She enjoyed her life and loved to “run the roads,” always being on the go, as well as traveling the country to see new sights. She enjoyed a fulfilling career in nutritional services for Cape Henlopen School District. An active member of her community, Sue could often be found socializing at the Milton CHEER Center, where she had many friends. She was enthusiastic about giving back to her community and was involved with several local fire companies serving in their auxiliaries. She proudly served as a past president of the Delmarva Volunteer Fireman’s Association Ladies Auxiliary and as treasurer for the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary and was a lifetime auxiliary member. She was also an active member of the Ellendale Fire Company Auxiliary.  She was an avid cat lover, had a gift for storytelling, and with her outgoing personality, she made many friends. More than anything else, Sue treasured time spent with those she held most dear. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, Sue was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Thomas Simpler in 1998; and her son-in-law, Donald Wagner Jr. in 2019.  She is survived by her daughters: Deborah Simpler Priddy of Lewes and Lora Simpler Wagner of Milton; her sons: Michael Simpler (Kimberly) of Rehoboth Beach and Andy Simpler (Terri) of Lewes; her sister, Sharon Quillen (Don) of Dover; her 12 grandchildren, Nicholas Priddy (Nicole), Jordan Priddy, Jan Marie Turansky (J.P.), Chelsey Wharton (Ryan), Emma Ludwicki, Quinn Ludwicki, Zachary Simpler, Paige Ludwicki, Wyatt Simpler, Christopher Simpler (Jordan), Ryan Simpler (Courtney) and Cheyenne Simpler (Ian Lankford); six great-grandchildren, Anastasia, William, Matthew, Jaxson, Julianna and Ellison; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 21, at Rehoboth Beach Fire Station, 219 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sue’s memory are suggested to the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Auxiliary, 219 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, rehobothbeachfire.com/page/donations; or to Ellendale Fire Department Auxiliary, P.O. Box 5, Ellendale, DE 19941, evfd75.com/donate.cfm.

Visit Sue’s Life Memorial webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.