Melva Anne Simonsen 11/22/38 – 7/13/11

Melva passed into the arms of our Lord at home with her family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Mel was born in Detroit, Michigan to Hazel and Chester Stokes. She attended Redford high school where she played basketball, field hockey, tennis and softball with Coach Ms. B. and her close friend Donna Thomas. She earned her degree in sociology at Wayne State and worked as a social worker in Detroit.

She met the love of her life Richard Simonsen on a blind date on New Year's Eve in 1959. They were married on 6/16/1962 and moved to California. Raising her children and being 'Nana Sisi' to her grandchildren was her greatest joy.

Mel loved gardening, watching her birds, and traveling, and was very proud of the fact that she was able to visit all seven continents.

She is survived by her husband Richard, her brother Eric, her children John and his wife Kimmarie, David, Kimberly and her husband Eduardo and Michael. She will be remembered as the best Nana ever by her grandchildren, Alyssa, Donnie, Cristobal, Mitchell, Gabriel, Francisca and Sophie. She is also survived by family and friends too numerous to mention that she loved so dearly.

She was kind beyond measure, with a smile for everyone and will be missed more than words can say.

A celebration of Melva's life will be held on Monday, August 8, 2011 at 5:00pm at Community Lutheran Church, Rancho Santa Margarita.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the UC Irvine Chao Family Cancer Center, 101 The City Drive, Bldg. 23, Orange, CA 92868.