Obituary

Carol Ann Durfee passed away peacefully at home on November 3, 2019 surrounded by loving family and beloved dog “Sandy’. Carol was born on June 9, 1933 in Fall River, Massachusetts to parents Rhoda and Maurice Durfee.  While growing up in Fall River, she was active in the First Baptist Church Sunday School, choir and ‘Order of Rainbow Girls. During her high school years was employed at McWhirr’s Department store in the candy and hat department. Upon graduation from B.M.C. Durfee High School in 1951 she moved to Boston at age 20 to work at New England Mutual Life Insurance Company and be near future husband Howard Simister who was attending Tufts University.

Married June 4, 1955 to July 28, 1972 to Howard Alexander Simister who subsequently entered the U.S. Army. During the next 18 years Carol was an exemplary military wife. Often moving every year while raising two children mostly as a single parent as Howard was overseas serving his country.

Carol lived in Salt Lake City, Utah from 1970 until July 1982 where she worked as a Realtor and then moved to Long Beach, California in 1982 to follow her daughter’s family. She then worked as an Executive Assistant in the Memorial Heart Institute at Memorial Medical Center of Long Beach for 10 years serving as the “right hand” for the medical director, den mother for the fellowship program and kept everything running smoothly.

Carol was instrumental in starting a fellowship “The Cruisers'” at her place of worship ‘Grace First Presbyterian Church” and subsequently met and married the love of her life William McPherson Fraser on June 5, 1983 till his untimely death in 2009. They resided in Seal Beach, CA and enjoyed a three year move to Australia while Bill, an engineer was contracted by Loy Yang Power Station. Upon their return to the states, Carol returned to Memorial Hospital in 1997 as an Administrative Assistant in the Children’s Clinic and then in Administrative Management for the Vice President/Chief Nursing.

She was an avid traveler visiting countless counties and always eager to share the memories of her travels. Her adventures included safaris, riding camels, to snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef.

Carol is survived by her sister Joan Mayall, daughter Beth Mirkovich, son William Simister (Courtney), grandchildren Justin Gibson, Tyler Mirkovich, Jamie Vanselow (Matt) and great-granddaughter Harper. Step- sons William Fraser, Darren Fraser, John Fraser (Karen), grandchildren Emily Fraser, Benjamin Fraser and Virginia Fraser.

Carol moved to Leisure World, Seal Beach in July 2012 with her beloved dog Sandy.

Memorial Service November 23, 2019 at 2:00 pm. Grace First Presbyterian Church.
3955 N Studebaker Rd, Long Beach, CA 90808. 562-420-3393.