Eulogies - Sandra Simpson Philpott 1934-2014

Eulogies were given at Sandra's memorial service by her older brother, Harold Simpson, and her dear friend Dorothy (Dottie) Beaton. They are beautiful summaries of Sandra's sense of humor, her love of dance, her love of family, and her love of life. Harold's eulogy:Sandra was always my baby sister. In her early years, my brother Bob and I used to tease her. That was usually unwise, because she would tattle on us and we would be chastised, to her delight. <o:p />When she was old enough to go to the movies, Bob and I had to take her, a task we sometimes dreaded. If the movie involved scary parts, she would hide beneath her seat and scream. If it had a hurt animal, or a romantic scene, she would cry with huge sobs, shaking all the chairs in the row. Because of this, we usually made her sit two seats away from us. As the years went by we did enjoy having her with us and we were proud to call her our sister.Sandra grew to be a tall and beautiful young lady. I missed some of that period of time because I was serving in the Navy in the Pacific Ocean area. After almost two years there, our ship was sent to the East Coast to Norfolk, Virginia. A short time later I heard that Sandra was in a show and that she was in Louisville, Kentucky. I had a long weekend pass coming up and made arrangements to check up on the show. The group of five dancers had nice costumes and all danced well, although I felt that Sandra was the best dancer there. I gave her my best wishes and returned to my ship.Later, I tried to get to New York City in my Navy uniform about every three weeks to see Sandra in the Rockettes. I was there so often that I could enter the stage door and watch Sandra from the wings. We would have a great time and I enjoyed being with her and her roommates, fellow Rockettes.A few years later, Jean and I, with Sandra and Herb made a Grand Tour of Europe by bus. The best parts were when the four of us took off for evenings in England, Rome and Paris, using the local subways and trains. Another was when only Sandra was brave enough to go up the outside staircase to the top of the “Leaning Tower of Pisa”. In Switzerland, in a large hall, the entertainment sought three volunteers to try to play music on their 10- to 12-foot long Swiss Horns. Sandra, Jean and I offered Herb as a contestant. The first two could accomplish nothing. Then Herb tried. He hit about four notes and then played a tune to the cheers of the many tour groups there. Of course, having a six foot long Swiss Horn in his home might have been some help!When Sandra and Herb married, a dynasty was started. It was made up of Sandra's expertise in dancing and Herb's expertise in music. Evidence of this appeared at the Christmas parties when Herb and my son Bruce would play their instruments while the rest of us sang the Christmas carols. Their combined genes led to young Herb's love of singing at the Reagle Theater and Holly's strength in dancing. That has continued with Holly's children Kayla and Troy. Kayla, now in college, has been studying music and dance, perhaps in anticipation of joining her mother (or perhaps replacing her mother). Troy had a WOW performance in Boston in the show "Mame". How proud Sandra was of young Herb and his wife Sandy, doing their shows, and of her grandchildren already familiar with a love of music and dancing.When our mother died, my sister Shirley, now the family matriarch, considered who should continue the Hazel Boone School of Dance. Sister Hazel, with 2 children, offered to assist with teaching some lessons. Marilyn had four children and they were a handful. And Sandra was the other candidate. The major portion of the Dancing School was given to Sandra.It must have been difficult for Sandra to just give up her New York career. She had been in shows like "Guys and Dolls", in the Rockettes, and other adventures. She was being asked to take the responsibility for upholding the name and high standards set by our mother for 44 years. She left New York and for the next 44 years, like her mother, ran the Dance Studio, expanding the program and drawing accolades from dance teachers. Every year, I would attend her annual recitals. Later, this was continued with Holly as Director, Sandra in the wings with Herb usually doing the announcing. So the dance baton was placed in Holly's capable hands, and she has kept the Dance School flourishing. Now entering its 104th year of family leadership, a new year has begun.A few years back, the aging Simpson clan, comprised of John, Hazel, Marilyn, Harold, Robert, and Sandra, went on a cruise. The three sisters decided to do the "Simpson Waltz Clog" in the passenger show. Bringing along a tape of the music, the ladies worked on improving the act. We rehearsed for two days and then performed in the two shows. Needless to say (but I will say it!),, the act was enthusiastically applauded at both shows. Later John announced that he overheard a group of people talking about the show and how the Simpson group was the best part of the passenger show.The best time I had in the last two years was taking my sisters, Sandra and Hazel to see "Guys and Dolls" at the North Shore Music Theater. The show was done in the round to an audience all around the stage. Our front row seats gave us a great view. Both of my sisters thought it was excellent and memories of that day are still bright in my mind.Sandra was a kind, loving, beautiful and thoughtful sister. She lived and loved life. Although she has died, the wonderful memories of our times together will never leave my memory. I am sure that all of you here have memories of Sandra, some as a mother, grandmother, dance teacher and a friend. All of us can leave here with lasting memories of a gallant lady, Sandra Simpson Philpott, that we can cherish for years to come. Dottie's eulogy:Last week at the Brigham, Sandra told me, “I have no regrets. I had a wonderful life. Because of my faith, I now look forward to being with my mother, father, Norma, Shirley, John, Glen and Rosie."My sister Rosemarie, "Rosie," had known Sandra since the late 50ʼs. She introduced me to Sandra in the early 60ʼs at the Hotel Somerset during a Dance Teacherʼs Club of Boston convention. That was the start of a long and wonderful friendship.One thing that we had in common was our lifestyle of growing up in the dance studio. Both of our mothers were pioneer dance teachers who founded their own studios. Sandraʼs mother, Hazel Boone in 1910 and my mother, Rose Romano DeLutis, in 1939. Consequently whenever we found ourselves getting together and visiting after a dance seminar had ended, we would share stories of what it was like growing up with dance teachers as mothers. These get togethers eventually led to many chats about how we were both juggling our dance schools and our families. It was the beginning of many, many stories that we shared. When the three of us were together, I would start to talk and then Rosie, my sister, would finish my sentence and then I would finish hers. We would go on and on like this for hours. Sandra said it was like being in a ping pong game as she tried to follow us back and forth. She would look at one and then the other, as we bounced back and forth, finally holding up her hand and saying, “my turn." This went on and on late into the night! She would tell us about her students and I was always impressed that she knew the names of each and every one of them. She was so proud of those who continued dancing professionally, but was equally excited talking about the ones who finally got the rhythm correct !Speaking of rhythm, I have to mention Elaine Richardson here. Most of you know her or know of her. She played piano for Hazel Boone as well as for Sandra. After one recital, Rosemarie told her, "Elaine, you could make a wooden Indian Dance!" That sums up Elaine perfectly. Sandra was a very proud grandmother. Although I havenʼt met all of her grandchildren, I feel I know them from the stories she would tell about them. Her grandaughter Kayla recently shared these words about Sandra. She said "the meaning of life is leaving this world a better place than when you found it. I believe my grandmother Sandra Simpson did just that. She inspired hundreds of young girls and boys by giving them the gift of dance. She also raised my Mom, whom I am so grateful to have in my life. She will always be the reason I 'Dance for Joy' and I will do everything I can to make her proud. "One thing you may or may not know about Sandra is that her grandchildren called her “Bammy." Kayla and Troy both were asked how they would best describe their grandmother. They smiled, looked at each other, and said, "Silly - Silly Bam."Sandra's Cape house has a large sitting area and one day, Troy was sitting in one of those big overstuffed chairs when he saw his Bammy marching, bringing her staccato arms up in opposition toward him chanting, “Who left the toilet seat up...up? Who left the toilet set up..up." This story was recently retold at the Tippett house last week. Sandra was quite hazy and we thought she was completely unaware that we were there and all of sudden up came her arm and fist pulsing in a rhythmic marching tempo. Up, Up! Yes...she was aware.Sandra was a Radio City Rockette, toured with the National Company of Guys and Dolls, and joined the USO overseas where she met her husband Herb who was performing with the US Army Band. She served as choreographer for the Reagle Players, including performances by former Rockettes semi annual show "Remembering the 1940's ". Sandra retired from the Hazel Boone Studios in 1998 after 44 years as Director and the torch was passed to her daughter Holly, who is current director of one of the oldest family-run dance studios in the country. She was an active member of Dance Masters of America, President of Dance Teachers Club of Boston and was active in the Rocktte Alumnae Association.She was involved in almost every committee prior to becoming President of the DTCB. We worked together closely and tirelessly with the Teachers Training Course. We assembled a group of teachers who were expert in their particular disciplines, many of whom are here today. This was way before computers and cell phones, so just coordinating a meeting was an all day affair. Although the name has been changed to Dance Education Training Course, the guidelines that we provided served as the high standards that are currently being used today.During conventions and during class time Sandra was all business. But when we went back to the hotel as ʼroomiesʼ some of Sandraʼs Sillies would pop out. One night we decided to dress for dinner and go to an upscale restaurant. All of a sudden out of nowhere, it started pouring rain. Sandra said, "Thatʼs not a problem, Iʼll make us hats." And she did -- out of newspaper! We donned our newspaper hats and made a mad dash for the restaurant. Once inside, we took off our hats and shook off the raindrops. Not Sandra. She stood inside the restaurant looking quite regal, and when the maitre'd came over to her and asked, “May I help you?," she very seriously said, “Yes, Iʼd like to check my hat please." She slowly took off her newspaper hat and carefully placed it in his bewildered hands. I have so many more ʻSandra stories,' and I bet you have them too. Iʼd love to hear them. However, I must stop speaking now because when Holly told me that Sandra asked if I would speak, there were instructions. Brevity was among them. She gave me time limitations. As per Sandraʼs request I will close now. Sandra was a very special lady and a special friend. I will always keep my memories of her dear to my heart as I know you will.