It is with great sadness that the family of the late Stella Kathleen Simms (nee Gill) of Little Bay, NL, age 69, announces her passing, on Sunday, May 3, 2020 from the Green Bay Health Care Centre, Springdale.

Stella Kathleen (Gill) Simms was born on January 26, 1951 in Newtown, Bonavista Bay, to John (Jack) and Gertie Gill. Stella was their first daughter after already having two sons. She lived on Pinchard's Island until the resettlement in 1953, where they relocated to Newtown. Their family grew to ten children and suffered the loss of her infant brother, Terry Lindburgh. Stella's father John was a keeper of the light on Cabot Island. During those times their only communication between John and his family was by radio. In the evening Gertie and the children would gather around waiting to hear his voice come over the radio. Later in life, John went fishing full time and left the light for someone else to mind. Gertie was a home maker and raised her nine children while tending to the daily chores. Stella being the oldest daughter helped take care of her siblings. Wherever she went, she had one holding each of her hands, while another held on to her coat. Stella was a wonderful daughter, sister, and a great help to her mother while her father John worked on the ocean to provide for their family.

At 15 years old Stella met Freeman from Little Bay and they started dating. Stella graduated from high school in 1968 and went on to summer school to obtain her teaching license. Her first teaching position in 1968 was in Little Bay. On August 15, 1969 Freeman and Stella we're engaged and her teaching brought her back to her home in Newtown. In 1970 she returned to Little Bay teaching. Freeman and Stella married on July 27, 1970 at Trinity United Church in Newtown and built their life together in Little Bay. Stella's brothers and sisters loved when she came home for visits, especially her youngest siblings Johnny and Joanne.

Stella finished teaching and was a homemaker and Freeman a carpenter. On July 18, 1976 their daughter Margaret Sarah Denise was born and on April 24, 1979 their son Jason Andrew John completed their family. Stella spent endless hours colouring with Margaret and endless hours rocking Jason to sleep. Stella's children were her life. Both her and Freeman taught them values and morals, work ethic, respect and most importantly the unconditional love they shared as a family.

Stella loved to be in the kitchen. Her homemade baked goods were always enjoyed and not just by her family but her community. At Christmas time trays of cookies were packaged and Margaret and Jason would deliver them to some of the seniors in Little Bay. Cookies were mailed to her parents and sometimes to her siblings. Stella enjoyed knitting which she also taught Jessica and Gracie, reading, berry picking with a boil up, ice fishing, and her favorite place to visit was Pinchard's Island with her family, along with picking bake apples. Stella was an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary in Little Bay, a member of the UCW and a Sunday school teacher at St. Paul's United Church in Little Bay until it closed in 1991. At this time she became a member of Grace United Church in Springdale.

In 1993 Stella went to college and received her diploma in Early Childhood Education and worked in that field for a number of years. On June 30, 2000 she welcomed her first granddaughter Jessica Sarah Dawn and on May 1, 2005 her second granddaughter was born, Gracie Kathleen. On August 22, 2011 they welcomed their grandson, their miracle, Noah Rodney Jason. In 2012 they welcomed Tanner into their family as their grandson. As grandparents, both Stella and Freeman loved each child equally and with abundance. They each have their own special relationship with nan and pop and precious memories to cherish such as a special song "A Bushel and a Peck" that was always shared between her and Noah.

November 2018 Stella was diagnosed with cancer and started her journey with Freeman by her side. She had 21 chemo treatments and she didn't let it stop her from being a wife, a mom, a grandmother, a sister, or a friend. She still made her baked goods and donated it to fundraisers, they took Noah to his skating practices and loved when he came for sleepovers.

Stella always had great faith and drew her strength from that. She overcame so many of life's struggles and done so with a smile. She is an inspiration to all.

She is predeceased by her parents Gilbert and Gertrude Gill; parents-in-law Andrew and Sarah (Penney) Simms; brother Terry Lindburgh; niece Trudy Gill; nephew Andrew Simms; great-nephew Matthew Horton.

Stella leaves to remember the wonderful life that she lived, her husband Freeman Simms; daughter Margaret Simms (Jamie Oxford); son Jason (Felicia) Simms; grandchildren Jessica, Gracie, Noah, Tanner; sisters Sarah (Sylvester) Quinlan, Margaret (Hughie) Vincent, Cavell (Glenn) Simms, Joanne (Donny) Maddick; brothers Calvin (Patricia) Gill, Luke (Debbie) Gill, Bruce (Joan) Gill, Johnny (Louisa) Gill, as well as other extended family members and friends.

The family would like to thank Central Health, especially the Cancer Clinic for the amazing care and support that Stella and her family received. Thank you to everyone who has supported us through this journey.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic guidelines, the viewing and cemetery service for the late Stella Kathleen Simms (nee Gill) will be for immediate family only.

The Celebration of Life Service was held from the United Church Cemetery, Little Bay, on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 1:30 pm with Rev. Rachel Robinson officiating. Interment was at the United Church Cemetery, Little Bay. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Elaine M. Rideout and Harry Oxford of Green Bay Funeral Home, Springdale.