Toni Marie Simpson was called home Dec. 3, 2017, around 6:40 a.m., holding onto the hands of her loved ones. Toni Marie Simpson was born Aug. 8, 1971, in Brewster, Wash., to Lucinda Pauline George and Wilfred Ronald Simpson. Over the years, Toni lived in Spokane, Lewiston, Wenatchee, Reno, Nev., Alturas, Calif., Orofino, Lenore and her current residence at Lapwai.
Toni had a good heart and a passion to help others. This encouraged her to fulfill her dream job, becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in 1994. She remained one until she became disabled in 2014. Her other occupation, which she enjoyed, was being a native artist and a holistic healer. Toni believed in several religions. She was baptized Methodist and practiced the Wah-lus-it Indian religion.
She attended high school at Wenatchee High School and Lapwai High School, graduating from Lapwai in 1989.
Survivors are her mother, Lucinda (George) Simpson, of Lapwai; brother William Charles Simpson (Robin Ann) of Clarkston; sons Isaac Nicholas Pinkham of Seattle, and Elias Zachary Pinkham and Cervante "Dante" Henry, both of Lapwai; daughter Talia W. Bybee (George Lopez) of Lapwai; and grandsons Nathen Wesley Pinkham, Adrian J.M. Lopez and Alanzo R.J. Lopez, all of Lapwai. She was preceded in death by her father; her maternal grandparents, Edith and Russell George; granduncle Gordon Fisher; uncles Samuel Gilbert George Sr. and Phillip William George; and cousins Michael Ellis George and Eugene Stone.
There will be a dressing at 10 a.m. today at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home, 920 21st Ave., Lewiston. A short Wah-lus-it drum service will follow, as well as a viewing. She will then be transported to the Nespelem Community Center, 4000 Columbia River Road, Nespelem, Wash. A Wah-lus-it service will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Services will begin at sunrise and will conclude at the Owhi Family Cemetery. A dinner will follow the graveside services. Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home is in charge of the services in Idaho.
