It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Joan Lawrence Simms (nee Glithero) on Sunday, December 5, 2021. Beloved wife of Allen Simms and loving mother to Cynthia (Keith), Jennifer (Jean-Marc) and Michael (Chanel), adoring grandmother to; Andrea (Jason), Stefanie (Cody), Nicolas, Luc and Cameron and her most recent pride and joy, great-granddaughter, Elyse Jade. She also leaves behind Allen’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her sister, Judith Nicolson, cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends throughout the years.
Joan was born in Montreal where she resided until 1972, moving west to Winnipeg where she raised her family. She spent the remainder of her life in Victoria then Pender Island, where she and Allen resided for the past 22 years. Their “Island Playhouse” created many wonderful memories which we will all cherish.
Joan was a feminist, a woman before her time. A musical prodigy, she spent her life ministering through music in Anglican churches including St. Michael’s and All Angels, Pierrefonds, QC, St. Aidan’s, Winnipeg, St. Saviour’s, Victoria, and Seniors Homes including Golden Links Lodge (Winnipeg) and Broadmead Lodge (Victoria). Ordained to the Ministry in 1996, after receiving her Masters of Divinity, Joan worked as a chaplain in hospitals including St. Boniface (Winnipeg) and Victoria General (Victoria). She was a talented pianist, artist, writer, composer and author, but her greatest accomplishment, according to Joan, was her three children. Being a mother was her priority and she supported her children to succeed in every aspect or their life.
A celebration of Joan’s life will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the following charities; Rainbow Kitchen https://rainbowkitchen.ca or Sarah McLachlan School of Music sarahschoolofmusic.com would be Joan’s wish. We thank the staff of ward 4AS for their love and care towards our mother during her last days.
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die: a time to plant, and a time to sow; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Hedy fordham
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Ross Brownlee My sincere condolences to you all. Joan was my first choir director in Winnipeg, and I can still hear her joyful self helping us all be the best musicians we could! Joan was also a dear friend and colleague to my mother, Eleanor. Mom was so thrilled to move to Pender and have Joan as a good friend from her previous life in Winnipeg. She was a deeply caring, and wonderful friend. My heart goes to you all as you celebrate and mourn this sad loss.
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Debbie Harris Dearest Joan, I’m not very good putting my thoughts down, but my heart ❤️ is very heavy right now. You were a beautiful, caring, talented friend whom I miss SO much. I thank you for all you have done for me. Until we meet again upstairs and maybe play a duet together. I LOVE YOU forever-
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Isabella English I will always remember my sincere loving friend Joan. a true genuine character with many gifts and she shared them through her musical talents, her intellect, but most of all through her heart and spirit. Now her music will be celestial and shared in the higher realms of Godhead.
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BettyLou (Blou) MacKeigan Joan was and is a dear and everlasting friend. I was blessed with her company over the last 18 years, as we would make a point to visit one another at least once a week. We thoroughly enjoyed our spiritual conversations. We would often walk and talk and then return to her place for tea and singing. I regard our friendship as one of the true treasures of my life, always rich in heart . My darling friend and sister, we will meet again .
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Brenda gelladula I’m so glad to have had the privilege to meet you when you visited Philippines. You’re
a very kind and generous lady. You look like Miss Gloria Romero, a very beautiful celebrity here in the Philippines. I was so happy to meet you and was sad to hear that you passed away. Rest in peace. May you live forever in the hearts of family and friends.
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bain I had the privilege to meet her
She was a lighthouse
Big hugs from all of us
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Craig & Gloria Miller We honor a Joan with the music we shared: “As we wrap our healing arms to hold what her arms held, this Ancient Love, this aching love rolls on” We send you our love.
My heart goes out to you, Allen. I met Joan only once, in Winnipeg, when we attended an anniversary of the Winnipeg church of the deaf. She was a fine lady.