Obituary for Elizabeth Jean Hemeon (Simpkins)
Elizabeth Jean Hemeon passed away peacefully at her home in Yarmouth Port on March 30, 2021, after having been diagnosed with cancer one year ago. Elizabeth lived her last year dealing with her illness, and with the restrictions that it, and the pandemic, brought with grace, dignity, modesty and very few, if any, complaints. During that time her family and friends surrounded her with constant companionship and loving devotion.
Born in Medford, MA in 1927, Elizabeth was the fifth of six children. She was raised in Malden and graduated from Malden High School in 1945, going on to graduate from Fisher College in Boston. She worked as a medical secretary, and led a social group at the Malden Universalist Church, where she met and later married William M. Hemeon, before moving to Cape Cod. Together they built and operated The Vagabond’s Rest Motel and The Colonial Country Store, in South Yarmouth. They went on to be co-owners of the Music Box Theater and many motels and inns on Cape Cod, and Lenox MA, as well as on the island of St. Croix, USVI.
As a member of the Barnstable Unitarian Church for 58 years, Elizabeth was a past
chairperson of the Religious Education Committee and a church school teacher, a member of the Prudential Committee, and a treasurer of the Building Fund Alliance. She was also an American Heart Association volunteer, a member of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, a member of the Yarmouth and Kings’ Way Garden Clubs, and a local leader of the Girl Scouts and Campfire Girls.
She loved to travel and was fortunate to have visited almost all of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, with her husband. Together, they also visited Africa, Europe, Asia, Central America, and the Carribean, but her favorite travels by far were the family trips that “Grandmommy” and “Granddaddy” hosted, including a paddlewheel boat cruise up the Mississippi River, a stay at a dude ranch in Arizona, a vacation in an old Tuscan villa, and several sojourns on Caribbean Islands.
Elizabeth had a zest for life and the energy to spend on it! She spent many hours of her life cultivating her gardens. In her middle aged years she developed a passion for playing tennis, and continually worked on improving her game. In her later years she practiced yoga, and took long daily walks, until her illness made it impossible to continue. She derived so much pleasure from visiting museums, and attending symphonies, plays, and musicals, on the Cape, as well as in any of the many cities she visited. She was a voracious reader, burying herself in the Boston Globe, the Cape Cod Times, the Register, and various magazines and books on myriad topics. Elizabeth attended many adult education classes and Elder Hostel seminars, and watched Jeopardy every evening.
Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband, William M. Hemeon, her son, Bradford Robbins Hemeon, her parents, Louise (Riha) and William Simpkins, her brother, William Simpkins and her sisters Ruth (Simpkins) Powers, and Barbara (Simpkins) Adams.
She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Elizabeth is survived by daughter, Jan Elizabeth Hemeon (George Abbott) of Barnstable, son, Scott William Hemeon (Ann Lewis) of Ft. Lauderdale, and daughter, Gretchen Caroline Hemeon (M. Judson Graham Jr), of Dennis. She leaves behind granddaughters, Amanda Abbott, Caroline Abbott (Robert Moccia), grandsons, Coleman Graham, Addison Graham, Campbell Graham, and granddaughter, Miel Hemeon. Elizabeth is survived by one sister, Louise (Simpkins) Gannon, of Wakefield, MA, and one brother, Charles Simpkins, of Seattle, WA. Elizabeth also leaves behind over 25 nieces and nephews.
The family sincerely thanks Hospice Nurse, Cindy Mancini and Hospice Social Worker, Sarah Stevenson for their expert advice, constant support, and gentle care, and Hospice Volunteer, Judy Bourassa, for her kindness and friendship.
Burial will be private. Donations, if desired, may be made in Elizabeth's memory to:
The Bradford Robbins Hemeon Memorial Scholarship Fund
℅ Adrianna Sheedy
Dennis Yarmouth Regional High School
210 Station Ave
South Yarmouth, MA
02664
or to:
The Barnstable Unitarian Church
PO Box 3330
Barnstable, MA
02601
Born in Medford, MA in 1927, Elizabeth was the fifth of six children. She was raised in Malden and graduated from Malden High School in 1945, going on to graduate from Fisher College in Boston. She worked as a medical secretary, and led a social group at the Malden Universalist Church, where she met and later married William M. Hemeon, before moving to Cape Cod. Together they built and operated The Vagabond’s Rest Motel and The Colonial Country Store, in South Yarmouth. They went on to be co-owners of the Music Box Theater and many motels and inns on Cape Cod, and Lenox MA, as well as on the island of St. Croix, USVI.
As a member of the Barnstable Unitarian Church for 58 years, Elizabeth was a past
chairperson of the Religious Education Committee and a church school teacher, a member of the Prudential Committee, and a treasurer of the Building Fund Alliance. She was also an American Heart Association volunteer, a member of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, a member of the Yarmouth and Kings’ Way Garden Clubs, and a local leader of the Girl Scouts and Campfire Girls.
She loved to travel and was fortunate to have visited almost all of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, with her husband. Together, they also visited Africa, Europe, Asia, Central America, and the Carribean, but her favorite travels by far were the family trips that “Grandmommy” and “Granddaddy” hosted, including a paddlewheel boat cruise up the Mississippi River, a stay at a dude ranch in Arizona, a vacation in an old Tuscan villa, and several sojourns on Caribbean Islands.
Elizabeth had a zest for life and the energy to spend on it! She spent many hours of her life cultivating her gardens. In her middle aged years she developed a passion for playing tennis, and continually worked on improving her game. In her later years she practiced yoga, and took long daily walks, until her illness made it impossible to continue. She derived so much pleasure from visiting museums, and attending symphonies, plays, and musicals, on the Cape, as well as in any of the many cities she visited. She was a voracious reader, burying herself in the Boston Globe, the Cape Cod Times, the Register, and various magazines and books on myriad topics. Elizabeth attended many adult education classes and Elder Hostel seminars, and watched Jeopardy every evening.
Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband, William M. Hemeon, her son, Bradford Robbins Hemeon, her parents, Louise (Riha) and William Simpkins, her brother, William Simpkins and her sisters Ruth (Simpkins) Powers, and Barbara (Simpkins) Adams.
She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Elizabeth is survived by daughter, Jan Elizabeth Hemeon (George Abbott) of Barnstable, son, Scott William Hemeon (Ann Lewis) of Ft. Lauderdale, and daughter, Gretchen Caroline Hemeon (M. Judson Graham Jr), of Dennis. She leaves behind granddaughters, Amanda Abbott, Caroline Abbott (Robert Moccia), grandsons, Coleman Graham, Addison Graham, Campbell Graham, and granddaughter, Miel Hemeon. Elizabeth is survived by one sister, Louise (Simpkins) Gannon, of Wakefield, MA, and one brother, Charles Simpkins, of Seattle, WA. Elizabeth also leaves behind over 25 nieces and nephews.
The family sincerely thanks Hospice Nurse, Cindy Mancini and Hospice Social Worker, Sarah Stevenson for their expert advice, constant support, and gentle care, and Hospice Volunteer, Judy Bourassa, for her kindness and friendship.
Burial will be private. Donations, if desired, may be made in Elizabeth's memory to:
The Bradford Robbins Hemeon Memorial Scholarship Fund
℅ Adrianna Sheedy
Dennis Yarmouth Regional High School
210 Station Ave
South Yarmouth, MA
02664
or to:
The Barnstable Unitarian Church
PO Box 3330
Barnstable, MA
02601