Martha Simpson has lived all her 90-plus years in Durango. For the final half of the 20th century, whenever this community or one of its families faced an emergency or tragedy, she was there. And she continued to be there until some normalcy had been regained, regardless of time or effort needed. She did this while married to “her George” (a World War II hero) and raising a family.
That there are no Durango streets nor memorials dedicated to her is of no surprise. She did nothing for accolades.
On the occasion of our 50th reunion, it was the privilege for several Durango High School Class of 1966 graduates to spend a Saturday morning with her. Her mind and sense humor remain as they were so many years ago but her body is waning. Perhaps the city can somehow find a way to acknowledge her service for all those decades.
A final word: Kudos to the still beautiful and always brilliant Barbara Conn, DHS 1966, for engineering our morning with Mrs. Simpson.
David Watkins, DHS,1966
Redington Shores, Fla.
