Sheila Valerie (Lotfi) Simkins, a woman of boundless patience and selflessness, was born in bustling New York City on October 14, 1958. She departed from the Windy City of Chicago, Illinois on September 2, 2023.

A free spirit who often enjoyed the journey more than the destination, Sheila loved music, animals, being outdoors, train-hopping, word searches and crossword puzzles, church, reading, especially fiction novels and her Bible, and Jesus. She almost never forgot a birthday or a phone number, which is more than can be said for most of us. She was also a poet and avid greeting card sender. In fact, If Sheila had the last $2 in the world, she would probably spend it on a greeting card to make someone else's day brighter.

Despite not having a car to get back and forth to classes, Sheila earned her associate degree in the early 90s from National Business College in Roanoke, Virginia. Sheila recognized the value of a good education even as she was juggling the responsibilities of mothering a young child. Prior to that, she took some classes at Towson State University in Maryland but the traditional path wasn't her style.

Sheila's work-a-day world allowed her light to shine in various environments: while flipping burgers at Hardee's, serving up smiles at Richee Freeze, and from behind the register at BP One Minute Market. Rumor has it that she may have also served as a nurse's aide at some point. Lord knows how much of her physical body was dedicated to medical science and education as she was frequently in-patient, often for long periods of time, at numerous teaching hospitals.

Sheila's life was no walk in the park. She was hit by a Mack Truck at age 18 and lived through a lot of ensuing mental and physical pain and emotional trauma. She was frequently misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and misjudged, yet she never lost her sense of humor and appreciation for life. Sheila managed to care for her daughter Amelia, mostly as a single mother, until she was seven, at which point, Amelia moved in with her younger sister Mitra.

Eventually, Amelia returned the favor by moving her mother from Natural Bridge, Virginia to Chicago, Illinois in 2014. This allowed them to rekindle their bond, proving that sometimes life does offer second acts. In 2022, Amelia assumed the responsibility of being Sheila's 24/7 caregiver for one year and they shared an apartment in Little Village, Chicago, living together for the first time in 28 years, until Sheila was (re)hospitalized in 2023.

Sheila is survived by her daughter Amelia ("Millie"), her nieces Analisa, Leila, and Shelby Sorrells, her sisters Roya Dapkus and Mitra Sorrells, and her brother-in-law Tommy Sorrells. She is preceded in death by her brother Robert Lotfi, her parents Mansour and Shirley Lotfi, and her former spouse Daniel Simkins.

In the words of her dear friend Grace Moorman, "She was a kind and gentle person who never bothered people for help or favors." Indeed, Sheila was too sweet and too precious for this world. But she leaves us with laughter, memories, and the reminder to enjoy the journey, no matter how painful and where it may lead. So here's to Sheila Simkins, a woman of kindness, selflessness, and generosity. May her spirit continue to inspire us to live fully, love deeply, laugh heartily, and take nothing for granted.