Eunice, known as Unie, was born in Stornoway in 1918, the daughter of William MacPherson and Una MacKenzie. Her father was a deep sea fisherman and the family lived in Mallaig for several years, during which time she attended Mallaig Primary School. The family later moved to Berneray, living as cottars at 8 Ruisgarry (Baile). Unie attended Berneray School for a while. Folowing her father's death in 1927, the family moved to Leverburgh. 

During WW2 she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service. Unie later married James Simpson and settled in Edinburgh with their children.