Grafton – Helen E. (Jordan) Roderick Simpson, 82, passed Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015 after a long illness.
She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Waldo W. Simpson; her sons, Brian Roderick, his wife Rachel, their children Amber and Michael, all of El Paso, Texas, and Casey Roderick, his wife Nancy, their children Aaron and Anna, all of Mashpee; her daughter, Robin Roderick-Dillard and her husband Charles of Marstons Mills; and her granddaughter, Sherie Sharma, her husband Bob, their children Jaya and Vikram, all of Vernon, Conn. She was predeceased by her first husband, Manuel J. Roderick; her son, Michael Roderick, and her daughter, Laurie Wray Roderick. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Chloris Simpson, Lola Connaughton, Jessie Larter, and Jane Rathburn. and her brother-in-law, John Simpson and his wife Claire.
Helen was born May 13, 1933 in Whitinsville, the daughter of the late Frank G. and Helen (Williams) Jordan, and was a lifelong Grafton resident. She graduated with the class of 1950 from Grafton High School and then from Becker Jr. College in Worcester in 1952, earning an Associate’s Degree. She also attended the Univ. of MA U.W.W. program.
Helen worked 23 years for the Commonwealth of MA Department of Mental Health.
She was an avid horsewoman having competed in horse shows throughout New England. In 1950, she won the Reserve Championship in the 3 Gaited American Saddle Horse Division on her horse, Moreland’s Majorette. She was an active member of the former North Grafton United Methodist Church and its book club. She enjoyed Bible study, graduating from the Disciples Bible Study Program, and spent many years practicing fellowship in her studies of the Bible. She also held memberships in the Grafton Riding & Driving Club, the Massachusetts Horsemen Association, and the Grafton Historical Society, enhancing her knowledge of Grafton’s history and progress.
The family suggests you remember Helen with memorial donations to the Grafton Food Bank, PO Box 324, Grafton, MA 01519, an organization she enjoyed supporting.
Funeral services were held Aug. 10 at the Baptist Church of Grafton, and she was then laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery of Grafton.
An online guest book to offer condolences and share memories is available at www.RoneyFuneralHome.com.
