ORONO – M. Dawn (Walker) Simpson, 51, died Dec. 16, 2007, as a result of an accident at her home. She was born Jan. 12, 1956, in Aberdeen, Md., daughter of Rollan W. and Betty A. (Cole) Walker of Presque Isle. Dawn graduated from Bates College, Lewiston, and received her master’s degree in social work from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, Mass. She earned a second master in business degree from Husson College. Since 2005, Dawn was a social worker at Eastern Maine Medical Center. She joined Eastern Maine Medical Center in 1990 as director of social work and progressed through several supervisory positions throughout the years. Prior to coming to Eastern Maine Medical Center, Dawn directed the development of health care social work licensing regulations at the Division of Licensing and Certification, Social Work Service Program, State Department of Human Services, Augusta; supervised the social work department at Camden Health Care Center, Camden; and provided family and patient counseling at Mid-Maine Medical Center, Waterville. She started her career in the social work departments of Togus VA Hospital, Togus; Houlton Regional Hospital, Houlton; Cambridge Family and Children’s Service, Cambridge, Mass.; and West Roxbury VA Medical Center Spinal Cord Injury Unit, West Roxbury, Mass. Dawn was a past member of the National Association of Social Workers; past president of the Maine Board of Social Work Licensure; and previously a member of the Maine Health Care Association Social Work Committee, Tri-County Coordinators, Hospital Social Work Directors, Maine Chapter Board of Directors, Southern Aroostook Social Services Council, and the Aroostook County Family and Children’s Services Council. Dawn was a faithful member of the Methodist church. Dawn was dearly loved by her family, who will remember her as a wonderful, loving, caring and attentive daughter, wife and partner, and stepmother. She will be remembered by the many friends who loved her for her passion for her animals, especially the dogs, Jasper and Gus, her great cooking, love for cross-country skiing, and her thrill to travel. In addition to her parents, Dawn is survived by her beloved husband of 11 years, Kenneth R. Simpson of Orono; and stepdaughter, Kristen (Simpson) Thompson and her husband, Bob, of Corinth. Also surviving is a brother, Rollan T. Walker and his wife, Rhonda and their family, Thomas, Emily and Scott, and their grandchildren Tyler and Brielle, of Hermon. Dawn is also survived by special friends, Valerie and Charlie Langbein, and Kyra Lindemann. A memorial service will be held noon, Thursday, Dec. 20, at First United Methodist Church, 703 Essex St., Bangor, with the Rev. Chuck Langbein, a friend of the family, officiating. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. Those who wish to remember Dawn in a special way may make gifts in her memory to Shriners Hospital for Children, care of Anah Shrine Center, P.O. Box 735, Bangor, ME 04401 or Bangor Lions Charities, P.O. Box 237, Bangor, ME 04402-0237. A service of Brookings-Smith, Bangor. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
M. DAWN SIMPSON, ACSW, LCSW, MSB
