In memory of Joanne Simmers

In memory of Joanne, who passed away on September 22 from a long and hard battle with cancer. Joanne leaves behind her husband James, and daughters Cassie and Charlotte. Joanne was big hearted and such a caring and thoughtful person. She will be deeply missed by all.

If you wish to donate with a physical gift, the family would appreciate any grocery gift cards.

Thank you so much for all your love and support to the Simmers family.

A loving message from James about his incredible wife,

Message from James Simmers --

This is about my most amazing, beautiful, absolutely full of love wife, Joanne Simmers. Joanne passed away at 6:06 P.M. on this last Thursday, September 22nd. Those in our hockey circles will know that 6 was my number. She decided to go to Hospice at the very end and the nurses and doctor up at Melville Hospice were amazing individuals.

She died holding my hand while I stroked her head. Her mom had her other hand. I just stared her in the eyes with a big smile for 10-15 minutes and told her how much I loved her, how grateful and thankful I was for her, and that I would do right by our children. It was peaceful and I never though death could be beautiful but it was.

She has endured so much in order to be here for her two girls, Cassandra and Charlotte, or Cassie and Charlie. She's done 37 rounds of chemotherapy, a week of radiation, and forced our health care system to give her multiple life saving surgeries through her rigorous research and willingness to follow through. Most importantly, she advocated for herself. I'd like to thank Dr. Parmar, a naturapathic oncologist. Sorry Dr. Parmar, I thought you were a snake charmer at first but you have proven to be one of the most caring, knowledgeable, and resourcful human beings on this planet. I can't recommend him highly enough.

Words are not enough. But one must try, or as Yoda said, do or do not. Joanne did things. She got things done. Whether it was her work, planning hockey tournaments or city events, or running our family from a hospital bed, Joanne just plain got s@#& done. I could count on her for anything. Everyone who knew her could count on her. She was selfless, tireless, and so full of love.

I have learned these last few years that so many things a person thinks they can't do, they can't, but only because of self imposed limits or doubts in their own mind. I watched Joanne achieve amazing things while going through hell. So imagine and chase after your goals and dreams.

Joanne said often in these last years that no one is promised tomorrow so we need to enjoy today. All Joanne wanted more than anything was to be a mother. She wanted to try and be as amazing as her mother is. I've lived with her mother the last three years and she is an incredible woman, with no quit in her, who will do anything for her family and friends. Joanne was just like that so I believe she accomplished exactly what she wanted to do.

Joanne was the most amazing mother ever. I'm biased of course but that's what I witnessed. She loved being pregnant, she loved planning for kids. Joanne anticipated just about everything our kids could need or desire while I just bumbled around being a jolly, care free dad.

I've been truly blessed these last 20 plus years I've been with Joanne. I was a lost young man when I met her and she gave me a reason to live for, a reason to care, and a foundation that was rock solid. She would say it's her fault I'm still just a man baby, but in a loving way. I now have to learn to live on my own as an adult. But now I have two amazing young girls so she's done it again. I have two amazing reasons to live for, to care for, and a family with rock solid foundations to nurture.

I made a wedding vow in 2010 and we both fulfilled that vow. I'll make another right now. I vow to love and cherish Joanne forever. I vow to make sure our children are brought up the way she would want, that they will know who their mom was and what she stood for. I vow to be the best dad and surrogate mom that I possible can be.

Thank you to all of you who were in her life. Joanne will be missed but lives on in our thoughts and hearts. I think I will stop and ask this question a lot, what would Joanne do?