Patricia Caraher Simpson died Oct. 14, 2006, leaving a lasting imprint on her family and the many friends and relatives whose lives she touched. Born Jan. 7, 1923, she was 86 years old.

Vashon Island was her Roots and she will be buried there on Saturday, Oct. 21. A graveside service will be followed by a celebration of her life at the family home at Manzanita Beach. Family and friends are invited. Contact Vashon Funeral Home for details.

Mrs. Caraher Simpson’s ties to Vashon go back over a century to 1900 when her grandparents, Nels and Christina Mattson, came to Vashon. They had immigrated from Denmark in the late 1800s and arrived on the Island shortly after the turn of the century. They settled on Maury Island establishing a farm that straddled the land immediately south of Portage, having Quartermaster Harbor and Tramp Harbor as its boundaries. The home sat on top of a big hill; its foundation is still visible today.

Mrs. Caraher Simpson’s mother Ada, the youngest of 11 children, was raised at the Portage farm. In the early 1900s Ada married Ralph Malone and Patricia was the fourth of their five children. About 1920 Ralph and Ada Malone began construction of what was to become known as The Homestead, a small home on the Quartermaster waterfront. This home remains in the extended family today.

Mrs. Caraher Simpson was educated in Seattle but spent her summers on the Island at The Homestead. In 1950 she moved to Vashon with her husband Mike Caraher to live year round. They raised their family of five children near The Homestead at Portage.

It was during this era that the family started the annual tradition of the 4th of July fireworks. Later, in the early 1980s, her son Jim Caraher and nephew Michael Malone rekindled the tradition, involving the Vashon Businessmen’s Association. Thanks to others the tradition has remained an important part of the Vashon Community.

Mrs. Caraher Simpson was also an integral player in the formation of the Vashon Island Golf and Country Club. With her husband Mike, who was the founding president, she spent many hours formulating the foundation of the club. She was recently honored at the 40th anniversary of the Vashon Island Golf and Country Club as one of the original founding members.

Mrs. Caraher Simpson was preceded in death by her husbands Mike Caraher and John Simpson, her son Thomas Caraher and granddaughter Anne Caraher. She is survived by her sister Betty Smith; children Suzan Hartley, Judi Williams, Jim Caraher, Kathy Caraher and Rene Simpson Harn. She also leaves behind a loving extended family and many friends.