Gundula Navall Simpson (Gundy) passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on May 18, 2013, of ovarian cancer.  Gundy was born on June 2, 1928 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Deitrick and Lotte Navall.  She attended schools in South Pasadena and Pepperdine University, taking classes in botany and home economics.  She married her high school sweetheart, Richard Simpson (SPHS '46), in 1950 and resided in Fortuna until Richard's death in 1983.  They had three children, Christine, Martha, and Dale.  In 1987, Gundy met Jack Skinner and moved to Redding, California where they spent 26 loving years together until Jack's death in January 2013.

Gundy was lovingly devoted to her family.  She enjoyed the serenity and splendors of the ocean, as well as all facets of nature.  She had an incredibly large circle of friends from her school days and in the communities in which she lived.  Gundy had extraordinary culinary skills and delighted friends and family with artful presentations of her creations.  She loved music, reading, gardening, spontaneity, and traveling.  Gundy's sparkling personality, thoughtful gestures and loving ways, will be sorely missed by all who dearly loved her.

Gundy was predeceased by her sister, Sonja Navall Thiene (SPHS '40) in 2012.  She is survived by her sister, Maya Navall McKenzie (SPHS '43); daughters, Christine Hanley (Kevin), Martha Fritz (Alan), and son, Dale Simpson (Vicki); grandchildren:  Erin Castagnola (Andy), Colin Hanley (Alicia), Dylan Hanley, Mary Ann Espinosa, Alexander Espinosa, Kaci Baldi (Nick), Blake Simpson and Kori Simpson; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.  Gundy's shared life with Jack included his loving children:  Carl Skinner (Yvonne), Bob Skinner (Molly), and Sally Holt (Buford), grandchildren and great-grandchildren...all, of whom became her family.

Redding Record Searchlight, May 25, 2013