Sandra Simpson Philpott, 79, of Boston, died on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at the Stanley R. Tippett Hospice Home in Needham.
She was born on February 8, 1934 in Brookline, Massachusetts, a daughter of the late Harold and Hazel (Boone) Simpson. Mrs. Philpott had been a resident of Boston since 1990, and previously lived in Canton, Massachusetts.
She was the wife of Herbert J. Philpott, whom she married on April 16, 1960.
She graduated from Brookline High School in 1951 and subsequently joined the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes for a season, followed by a two-year stint with the National Touring Company of Guys and Dolls. In 1954 she returned to the Boston area to serve as Director of the Hazel Boone Dance Studios founded by her mother, Hazel Boone Simpson, in 1910. Shortly afterwards, she joined the USO and toured overseas with some of her older students for three years, during which time she met her husband, Herb, who was performing with the USO Orchestra. She retired from the Hazel Boone Studios in 1998 after 44 years as Director.
She was a long-time member of the Dance Teachers Club of Boston (serving as president, as did her mother, Hazel Boone Simpson) and of Dance Masters of America, and was active in the Radio City Rockettes Alumnae Association. She also served as choreographer for numerous productions by the Reagle Music Theater of Greater Boston in Waltham, including performances by former Rockettes as part of the semi-annual show, “Remembering the 1940s.”
Mrs. Philpott was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Canton and later of Trinity Church in Boston.
Mrs. Philpott was predeceased by two sisters, Norma DiMatteo and Shirley Simpson; a brother, John Simpson; and a son, Glen Philpott.
In addition to her husband Herb of 54 years of Boston and Waltham, survivors include a son, Herbert F. Philpott and his wife Sandra of Waltham, MA; a daughter, Hollis (Holly) S. Costa and her husband James of Dedham, MA; a daughter-in-law, Pauline Belmontet-Philpott of Toulouse, France; seven grandchildren, Rosemary, Kayla, Valentine, Troy, Emma, Ryan, and Kathryn; two sisters, Hazel Lunardo of Sarasota, FL and Marilyn Dalzell and Jack Clancy of Newburyport, MA; two brothers, Harold B. Simpson of Hamilton, MA and Robert B. Simpson and his wife Charlotte of Waterville Valley, NH; and numerous nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a donation to The Make-A-Wish Foundation, One Bulfinch Place, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02114.
A wake will be held at Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home (http://www.dockrayandthomasfuneralhome.com/) , 455 Washington Street, Canton MA on Saturday, February 1 from 4-8 P.M.
A funeral service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1 Blue Hill River Road, Canton, MA on Sunday, February 2, at 1:00pm. Friends are invited to attend.