Lisbeth Wells (Lister) Simpson

Lisbeth W. Simpson, 79, passed away peacefully Friday, February 21, 2025, at Hope Health Hulitar Hospice Center.  She was the wife of William R. Simpson with whom she shared 45 years of marriage.

Born in Providence, the daughter of the late William H. Lister and Helen T. (Thompson) Lister, she was a longtime resident of Warwick.  She attended Scituate High School and the University of Rhode Island, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master's in Child Development and Family Relations.

Being a trailblazer, pioneer, and devoted advocate to the advancement, education, and well-being to all children and family development, Lisbeth started her long career working as a dedicated Day Care Director with the Nickerson Community Center; followed by working as the head teacher at the Early Learning Center-University of Rhode Island; continuing, by innovating new pathways as an educator, program creator, writer, community liaison with the Pawtucket Day Child Development Center; and concluding as the Founder, Director, and Head Teacher at the celebrated Play And Learn Preschool. During retirement she worked at Progressive Learning for Children.

In her free time, Lisbeth enjoyed walking, bonding with family and friends while learning and playing tennis, biking, apple picking, antiquing, and visiting the annual Scituate art Festival, all the while actively writing and keeping journals of humorous anecdotes and adventures.  She was also the past President of the Buttonwood Beach Chapel.

Lisbeth is survived by two sons, Russell E. Simpson and his wife Janice of West Greenwich, RI; Trevor D. Simpson and his wife Beth of Warwick, RI; her grandson William R. Simpson and significant other Tamra of Coventry, RI; great grandson Vincent and sister Karen Sonderland of Edmonds, WA.

She was predeceased by her brother William Henry "Hank Lister" III.

Her Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 11:30AM, at THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick.  Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:30AM-11:30AM. Interment will follow at Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery in North Kingstown.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory to the Buttonwood Beach Chapel, c/o Lori Morse, treasurer 257 Promenade Avenue, Warwick, RI 02886.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lisbeth Wells (Lister) Simpson, please visit our floral store.