Ethlyn Reufina “Fina” Simpson passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 30, 2020, at the age of 88, in her home surrounded by her children and loved ones. She was born on September 24, 1931 in Tela, Honduras, Central America to Alvin Alexander Crooks and Anne Coutts.

     Mom often told us stories of her life as a little girl in the natural beauty of the coastal village of Tela. She loved to pick fresh mangos off the trees, she went to the beach to buy fresh fish from the fishermen, and she walked for miles to and from school during rain showers that would end in brilliant sunshine.

     As a young teenager, her Aunt Mitty taught her how to sew and that was the start of how she would touch so many lives and be forever etched in their hearts and memories. Fina sewed clothes for everyone in her little village and as her skills developed, so too did the beauty and elegance of the pieces she made. If you envisioned it, she would bring it to life and once she was done you had your very own tailor-made, sometimes one-of-a-kind, piece.

     Oh, and let’s not forget that Mom was an amazing cook too. She could take simple food items and magically create a meal that had you asking for more - - we always knew that those meals were prepared with love. She opened her kitchen, known as Fina’s Kitchen, and shared those meals with everyone who stopped by. Whether it was sharing the last Johnny Cake or preparing dinner for many, you knew that Mom was going to make certain that you did not go without.

     Fina was slight in stature, gentle and unassuming in speech, and yet possessed a formidable spirit of determination. Although a woman of few words at times, her messages always came through loud and clear. She spoke with meaning and intent. Mom was one for making certain that you had words to live by including, “It is better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all. Where there’s a will there’s a way.”

     Some would probably describe her as meek, however that quality could never be mistaken for weakness. And knowing that she had things to do and miles to go before she slept, Momma walked fast and with purpose and could often be heard saying, “Let’s go.” So it was no surprise that in 1961, with a heart filled with hopes and dreams for a better life, she embarked upon a journey from Honduras, Central America to the USA where she would lay the foundation for her husband and three young sons to join her, making certain that they would want for nothing when they arrived. Her family would continue to grow with the birth of her two daughters, and together they called New York City home. Mom spent the last decade of her life in Los Angeles, CA.

     Throughout her life, Fina would be adopted by countless others who would call her Mom. She loved to love on everyone and had enough genuine love and kindness to fill the oceans several times over; living a life of immense generosity to others.

     Reufina is preceded in death by her loving husband, George McGuire Simpson (d. 2006) and her sister Clotilda "Clo" Codd (d. 2004). She is survived by her children: Gregory M. Simpson, Glenn M. Simpson, Garry M. Simpson, Georgia M. Simpson (May), and Veda J. Simpson; daughters- and son-in-law Karen Simpson, Tina Simpson, and William May; grandchildren Jarret Simpson, Grekan Simpson, and Jaire Ethlyn May; step-children Aura Suarez, George “Jorge” Simpson, and Debbie Philbrick and their spouses, children and grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews, across generations, who she loved dearly.

To honor Fina’s memory and devotion to caring for others, the family would like to offer you the option to make a donation to Doctors Without Borders in lieu of flowers.

This organization was very dear to Mom and Dad.

Doctors Without Borders, Inc: https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/onetime.cfm

Special Thanks To

The family has been comforted by the outpouring of love and support from everyone. We would like to thank:

Vivian Scott-Chew for her friendship and tremendous support and source of comfort to our family in our time of need.

Ronda Williams Fuller for her guidance.

Singers - Trisha Codd and Tracey Brathwaite

Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary and Ms. Shannan Guillory, Manager

Pastor A.R. Bernard, Christian Cultural Center, Brooklyn, NY for his comforting words.