Obituary of Frances Anne Duffy Simpson

Born: 5 April 1934, in San Diego, CA Died: 7 February 2009, in Tacoma, WA In Loving Memory of Frances “Fran” Anne Duffy Simpson who was preceded in death by Alexander “Al” Serge Simpson her husband of almost 50 years, also, her mother Doris Anne Jurgens Duffy, father Patrick Joseph Duffy, her sister Dorthea Patricia "Pat" Duffy Smith. Survived by her sister, Sister Agnes Therese, son Joseph ”Joe”, his wife Karen, grandson Patrick, his wife Lisa, and Great Granddaughter Abigail June Simpson. Fran married Al on July 5, 1953, at Ft. George G. Meade, Maryland. Joe was born at Ft. Ord, CA on April 12, 1954. They traveled across the US several time during Al’s military career and one tour of Germany (1960 to 1964). Al retired in 1967 from the US Army and the family went to San Francisco, CA for one year then the family moved to San Diego, CA. Fran was instrumental in developing the Soccer program for CIF Soccer in San Diego, in 1970. She was the Commissioner for California Youth Soccer Association—South (CYSA-S) from 1978 to 1990 she developed youth soccer in San Diego County to a youth base of over 30,000 strong. Fran was the first female Class “B” FIFA Qualified Referee in the USA, and was the first female Class “B” FIFA Qualified Coach in the USA in 1980. She was voted as one of the top 100 Soccer Leaders in San Diego in 1999 by the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Stars Salute to Soccer. Fran was an American Red Cross Volunteer First Aid Staffer in San Diego (working several elections and civic events in the San Diego Area) and continued her First Aid Volunteer services in Tacoma. Fran was active in the La Mesa CA, City Council advocating for more open space in the City and transparency in government. She continued her civic activism when she moved to Tacoma, becoming the Secretary for the East Side Tacoma Neighborhood group promoting safety within the neighborhood.