Simpson Cemetery Memorial – Honouring the Ancestors
On Sunday, July 27, 2025, the Simpson Cemetery in Southwest Middlesex came alive with memory, history, and community spirit. Over 50 descendants, neighbours, and friends gathered under the shade of the massive White Oak “heritage tree” for the annual cemetery memorial hosted by the Glencoe & District Historical Society (GDHS). This year a group of Simpson descendants, Micheline Champagne-Johnston, Wanda Simpson, Wendy Bestward, Jan Simpson, Dennis Simpson, Mary Simpson, and Brian Huis, joined in to give the event an interesting twist.
Cemeteries, particularly in rural Ontario, have long been places of both remembrance and reflection. Their park-like settings provide green space, cultural continuity, and a sense of belonging. This year’s memorial carried on the tradition of visiting and honouring one local cemetery each year.
PROGRAM
11:00 a.m.
Bring your family and make a day of it and arrive in the morning and explore the
Simpson Cemetery. Bring a photo to tape on your ancestors’ stones. Tell your kids
about their ancestors.
12 Noon Picnic
Time for an old-fashioned picnic. Spread out your blanket and share a meal with your
family and friends.
1:00 p.m. Commencement
Welcome and introductory remarks (Brian Huis)
o Land acknowledgement
Remarks from the President, Glencoe and District Historical Society (Mary Simpson)
History of the Simpson Cemetery (Ken Willis)
Walk with the Ancestors: a series of rotating talks and activities:
o Spirit walk with “Nicolas Bodine”
o The “Simpson” Ancestors (Wendy Bestward, Dennis Simpson, Wanda
Simpson, and Micheline Champagne-Johnston)
o Demonstration: How to properly clean and care for a gravestone (Norm McGill)
o Demonstration: How to do a gravestone rubbing (Ken Beecroft and Gerry
Cross)
o How to fix an old broken gravestone (Harold Carruthers)
2:00 p.m. Gather to Remember
Honour Roll – Reading of the names from the plaque of those who served their
country in times of war (is there a name attached to this?)
Tribute to “Nicholas Bodine” (1788 to 1885), Upper Canada militia veteran, War of
1812 (Harold Carruthers)
Closing prayer (Ken Willis?)
2: 45 p.m. Wrap-up and Adjournment
2:30 – 5:00 Bill Allan’s Celebration of Life at the Glencoe Agricultural Hall – we will miss him.
Organized by the Glencoe & District Historical Society and the Simpson Descendants Circle: Micheline Champagne-Johnston, Brian Huis, Wanda Simpson, Wendy Bestward, Jan Simpson, Dennis Simpson, Mary Simpson.
Supported by Ryan Tuer, Scary Gnome Productions & Recording SG Studios, Woodgreen.
“Beyond the gates of the cemetery lives an historical account of our past, a rich heritage populated by friends and relatives. Loved ones who can no longer be with us, but whose memories live on.” – Josh Kekosz.
Link to History of Simpson Cemetery, Woodgreen, Ontario.
