Mary Simpson Giblin1929-2017Mary Simpson Giblin passed away on June 24th, 2017, surrounded by all of her children and other loved ones. She was born on July 9, 1929.She was predeceased by her parents, Ethel and Albert Simpson, and by her three older brothers, Edward Simpson (Dorothy), Robert Simpson, U.S.M.C., who was killed in World War II (Dottie), and James Simpson (Arla).Mary is survived by her seven children: Ann Reimer (Dan) from Mobile, Alabama, John Giblin, Jr. (Karen) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Katy Thompson (Ed) of Tarpon Springs, Florida, and Susie Gonzalez, Patti Wernicke (Carl), Steve Giblin (Cris), and Liz Biggs (George), all of Pensacola. She is also survived by nineteen grandchildren: Emily Reimer-Barry (Jay), Mandy Reimer, Melissa Reimer-McAtee (Casey), and Daniel Reimer, Jr., Jennifer and Gregory Gonzalez, Peter Porto (Bekah), and Nathan Porto (Amberly), Drew Giblin (Kristen), Claire and Michael Giblin, Barbara Rodgers (Quinton), and Roslon Johnson (Justin), Addison, Eric, Oliver, and Natalie Biggs, and Patrick and Lauren Thompson. She is also survived by fourteen great-grandchildren: Leigh and Brynne Barry, Anatalia McAtee, Evan, PJ, and Penny Lane Porto, Addie, Cole, and Tilly Giblin, Bella and Brooklyn Rodgers, and Hunter, Jaxon, and Leyla Johnson. She is also survived by two nieces, Gail Simpson of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Mary Simpson of Eagan, Minnesota, and one nephew, Mark Simpson (Cyndi) of Houlton, Wisconsin.Mary was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from Amundsen High School, attended Lawrence College in Appleton, Wisconsin, and graduated with high honors in 1951 from the University of Florida with a B.S. degree in Psychology and a minor in Economics. She was awarded a fellowship for continuing graduate study. She later completed a Masters' degree in Counseling and Human Development from Troy State University in 1984.Mary was a devoted mother and worked hard to care for her family and her home. She encouraged her children to participate in a variety of extracurricular and cultural activities, including music, art, reading, sports, scouting, service activities, and more. Most of her time through the years was spent with homemaking and raising her seven children, but Mary also became involved with various volunteer activities. Settling in Gulf Breeze, Florida, in 1955, Mary was very active in St. Ann's Catholic Church. She served as president of the Altar Society and was instrumental in starting a Girl Scout Troop. She was active in the AAUW (American Association of University Women) where she worked on the development of scholarships for girls to area colleges. She was also active in the Gulf Breeze Civic League, a group which worked on preparing the community of Gulf Breeze to incorporate into a city. She served as the chairperson of the group for a period of time. Later, when the family moved to Decatur, Alabama, Mary became a den mother for her sons' Boy Scout troop, and was again active with the AAUW, this time helping to work on the War on Poverty initiative.Moving to Pensacola in 1968, Mary was active in Sacred Heart Church, serving as the Vice-President for the Woman's Society. She later worked part time as a secretary for the parish. She was a founding member of Alpha Center, which offers free services to pregnant women in crisis, and she served on its board for many years. In 1974, after all of her children were in school, Mary began to work for Catholic Charities. She worked in a variety of positions before becoming regional director in 1984. While at Catholic Charities, Mary served on the Adoption Advisory Council of the state of Florida. She also served as the first director of a group home of unaccompanied minors from Vietnam. The goal of the home was not only to provide daily care but to teach the teens English and help them to mainstream into American culture and schools. The project was very successful and won awards for its accomplishments. Remaining close to Mary through the years are Oanh Huynh, Duong Tran, Vinh Huynh, and Thai Nguyen.There will be a private family celebration of life service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Alpha Center (P.O. Box 10880, Pensacola Florida 32524) or the . Condolences may be expressed online at www.harpermorrismemorialchapel.com.Express your condolences in our guestbook at pnj.com/obits