HERON, Denise Helen (Smith) - After a brief illness and a very rich life our mother passed away peacefully on January 28, 2021.
Denise was a loyal wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.
She was a proud and caring grandmother, and an enthusiastic great grandmother.
To her six children, she was the world—an incredibly gracious mother who was loving, kind, encouraging, funny, thoughtful, and warm.
Born on August 26, 1933, Denise grew up in The Beach area of Toronto and spent most of her life in that community. She was a dedicated elementary school teacher. In the last twenty years of her career, she taught kindergarten where her musicality, dynamism, and patience made her a favourite.
She loved to travel, especially to Ireland to visit with her many treasured in-laws in Dublin and Cork. After retirement, winters were spent in Florida where she found a new community to blossom.
In the past few years, Denise was slowed down by arthritis but always had time for friends and family. She enjoyed a good mystery novel, her iPad, and a gin martini.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Michael, her parents Neil and Helen Smith, her sister Patricia, and her brother Neil (Jane).
She will be profoundly missed by her children Patricia (Gary), Michael (Ann), Neil, Diarmuid, Ellen (Fraser), and Deirdre (Bill); her grandchildren James, Melanie, Erica, Danielle, Tyler, Michael, Alexandra, Candace, Mitchell, Brendan, Nicklaus, Ciara, Jacob, Colston, Christopher, Tatum, Abby, Piper, and Noah, and her great-grandsons, as well as her many cherished nieces and nephews in Vancouver, Ireland, and the Toronto area.
A Funeral Mass to celebrate Denise’s life will be held on Tuesday, February 2nd at 11 AM at St. John Catholic Church, 794 Kingston Rd. Due to current public health restrictions, the visitation and funeral will be for immediate family only.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Arthritis Society.
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