Melva Simms (nee Sparkes) September 2, 1952 – January 7, 2020 Corner Brook, NL It is with great sadness that the family of the late Melva Simms announce her passing on January 7, 2020 at Western Memorial Regional Hospital at the age of 67 years. Melva will be lovingly remembered for love and devotion to her family and for her fierce independence. Her immense generosity touched the lives of countless people and were an inspiration to many. She never hesitated to put others before herself, including sacrificing her own needs limitless times. She wasn’t afraid of hard work and wore many hats in her life, while doing an amazing job of juggling responsibilities and adapting to change. Melva loved to laugh and tell a good story. She genuinely shared in the joy and prosperity of others, often being the first to celebrate their accomplishments and to spread the word. Her absence will be felt for a long time, while her legacy lives on through the lives of those that she touched. Melva leaves to mourn with loving memories her husband of 44 years Dr. Douglas Simms Jr; 5 children: Patricia (Darren) Reid of Rocky Harbour, Mark (Darlene) Simms of St. John’s, Laura (Dan Ficken) Simms of St. John’s, Krysta (Matthew Shears) Simms of Rocky Harbour, and David Simms of St. John’s; 5 cherished grandchildren: Nathan Reid, Hanna and Kaitlyn Simms, Evan Simms Ficken, and Isabella Shears; sisters and brothers: Chelsea Critch, Elizabeth (Norman) Gilley, Roy (Rita) Sparkes, Valerie (Blandford) Duval, Venus (Wilson) Thomas, Wayne (Ruby) Sparkes, Gaius (Della) Sparkes, Sandra Ruth (Wayne) Sparkes; sisters-in-law: Barbara Sparkes, Nancy Sparkes, Judy (John) DeGrace, Leslie Simms, Andrea Adams: brothers-in-law: Dr. Greg (Mary) Simms, Dr. Richard (Diana) Simms, Colin (Susan) Simms; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. She was predeceased by her parents Annie and Chesley Sparkes of Rocky Harbour, brothers Newman Sparkes and Phillip Sparkes, brother-in-law Lloyd Critch, parents-in-law Dr. Douglas Sr. and Dorothy Simms of St. John’s and brothers-in-law Dr. Philip Simms and Dr. Brian Adams. In keeping with Melva’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation for family and friends will be held at Fillatre’s Funeral Home, 4 St. Marks Avenue on Friday, January 10, 2020 between the hours of 2-4pm and 7-9 pm. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 11 am at Fillatre’s Funeral Home Chapel with Captains Darren and Danette Woods officiating. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Cancer Clinic, Western Memorial Regional Hospital.