Mary Simpson, Known for Volunteer Work, Dies : Obituary: The wife of ex-Anaheim Councilman Bob D. Simpson had undergone bypass surgery after suffering heart attack. She was 59. Services will be Friday.

Mary Simpson, wife of former Anaheim Councilman Bob D. Simpson, died Monday night as a result of heart damage from a heart attack she suffered last week, family members said Wednesday.

Mrs. Simpson, 59, was hospitalized last Thursday for chest pains, underwent bypass surgery Saturday and was in stable condition Monday, said her husband, who was the last family member to speak with her Monday night by telephone.

Fifteen minutes after the couple got off the phone, the hospital called Simpson to report a change in his wife’s condition. She had died by the time he arrived at the hospital.

“I’ve known her for 50 years, have been married to her for 39 years, and in all that time I have never heard a single person say an adverse thing about my wife,” said Simpson, whose last words to his wife were, “I love you.”

Mrs. Simpson had a history of arterial problems and had undergone bypass surgery 18 years ago, family members said.

“Her tolerance for pain was incredible, and she just kept going,” said daughter Christy Price. “She was concerned for everybody else but herself.”

Mrs. Simpson, born in Shawnee, Okla., on Nov. 23, 1935, was well known for her volunteer work in various Orange County charities. She had served, for instance, as first vice president of the Assistance League of Anaheim, a national philanthropic organization.

“She certainly will be tremendously missed by everyone in the Assistance League and everyone she has associated with in the community,” said Mary Bouas, the league’s president. “It is a big loss to the community because she had so much to give.”

Mrs. Simpson’s pastor described her as one of the kindest, most unfailing members of his congregation.

“She was the epitome of consistency, and that was characteristic of her life,” said Dr. Bryan Crow, pastor of the Garden Church in Anaheim Hills. “If you need a real definition of what Christianity is, Mary Simpson was it.”

In addition to her husband, she is survived by three children, Christy Price of Diamond Bar, Bob Simpson Jr. of Tustin and Greg Simpson of Temecula; a sister, Jane Horvath of Mission Viejo; a brother, Jim Hammons of Newport Beach, and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for Friday at 10 a.m. at the Anaheim United Methodist Church, 1000 S. State College Blvd.