Sharon Joyce Simson

Sharon Joyce Pastor Simson

Villanova- Sharon Joyce Pastor Simson died peacefully on November 21, 2023 at the age of 79.  She was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 12, 1944 to Michael Pastor and Ella Horvath. She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Michael Byron Simson, and her sister, Nancy Beebe. She is survived by her brother, Michael Pastor (Teri), her son, Michael David Simson (Jennifer), her grandchild, nephews, and niece. 

She graduated from the University of Michigan with a teaching certificate in English and Latin. While teaching, she began her graduate work at Tufts University in Boston and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She was awarded her PhD in health services research. 

Dr. Simson was a recipient of fellowships from the National Institute of Mental Health, the Administration on Aging of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Gerontological Society of America. She was the associate director of geriatrics and associate professor of mental health sciences at the Hahnemann University Medical Center.

She was a lecturer in the Department of Health Education at the University of Maryland, College Park, and an adjunct professor of gerontology at its University College. She was also a research professor at the University of Maryland Center on Aging and Coordinator of Legacy College for Lifelong Learning, the Graduate Gerontology Certificate Program, and the Legacy Leadership Institute on Humor Practices.

After she retired, she focused more on her community service work and hobbies. She was a loyal member of the Community Garden Club at Wayne. As president she shepherded the Club through the Covid pandemic to celebrate its 75^th anniversary in May 2022. She was very interested in genealogy and shared her knowledge of resources with community members at the Family History Center in Wynnewood. She enjoyed volunteering at Kitty Cottage.

Sharon was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and cherished her many friends.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Kitty Cottage Adoption Center, 317 West Johnson Highway, East Norriton, PA 19401.