Southampton, Tawnya Beth (Simmons) Burnett, 45, of Southampton, MA, died on February 19, 2018 at Elaine Nursing Center in Hadley. She was born on September 5, 1972 in Northampton, MA, where she grew up and attended local schools.

In 1999 Tawnya married Robert Burnett, to whom she was deeply devoted. She enjoyed working at any of her jobs where she could interact with people. She was well known by the customers at a local Stop & Shop. She always exuded a joyful heart and brought sunshine into many lives with her radiant, captivating smile. At various seasons of her life, Tawnya loved bowling, bingo, dancing, playing Frisbee and ladder ball. Her favorite thing to do was to sing into a microphone or sing along with people or the radio. She knew every “Annie” song. Tawnya and her husband Bob loved to vacation in Florida every winter. In the summer of 2015 they enjoyed a fabulous 12 week tour of the U.S. Tawnya was a believer in Jesus Christ. She served in ministries for the needy in her local church and on a mission trip to Appalachia. She participated in Bible studies and fellowship groups. She was loved by everyone who knew her.

Tawnya leaves behind her husband of 19 years, her mother, Darleen Corbett and husband Peter; her father, David Simmons and wife Luanne; her brother Chad Simmons and wife Sara and son Colin; brothers Abe and Aaron Corbett, Seth Corbett and wife Karen, and sister Faith Henderson and husband Chris, plus 6 nieces and 4 nephews. She also leaves a brother-in-law, Tad, aunts and uncles and her godparents Sharyn and Peter Kovalesky.

A celebration of Tawnya’s life will be held at College Church, 58 Pomeroy Terrace, in Northampton, MA on March 10, 2018 at 2 pm.   Calling hours will be held at 1 pm at College Church before the service.  Internment of ashes will be private with family.

To sign a guest book, express condolences and share memories, go to the www.douglassfuneral.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to  Alternatives Pregnancy Center, P.O. Box 344, Greenfield, MA 01302-0344;  The College Church, P. O. Box 203, Northampton, MA, 01061-0203; or to the National Down syndrome Congress at www.ndscenter.org