DENYS, Julia Anne Denys

Peacefully, at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Chatham Site on Saturday, October 4, 2025, Julia Anne Denys passed away at the age of 83. She is pre-deceased by her beloved husband of 60 years, George Denys, in 2024.  Loving mother of Stephen (Anne) Denys, Janet (Paul) Ainslie, and David Denys.  Loving grandmother of Anna, Craig (Emma), and Maggie Denys, and James, Kathleen, and Thomas Ainslie.

Julia was raised by her parents, the late Alice (O’Rourke) and Hilary Ouellette, as part of a loving family in Dover Centre, Ontario. She was the youngest daughter in the Ouellette family. She will be deeply missed by her sisters Mary Frances (late Lawrence) Kehoe and Elizabeth (late Jerome) Kohel and brother Tony (Shirley) Ouellette. Pre-deceased by sisters Rosemary (late Patrick) Zimmer, Jeanne (late Jack) Harding, Winnifred (late Peter) Gillier, and Amelia. Julia is fondly remembered by George’s family including Laurent, Father Jozef Denys, Annie (late Antoon) Aarts, Rudi (late Margaret), Sabena (Paul), Johan (Sanda), Gabriel (Nel), Theresa, and Regina. Pre-deceased by sister-in-law Leona (late William) Strybosch and brother-in-law Wilfred (Aline) Denys. Julia will be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in the community.

Julia was a truly special woman who put family and friends first. She deeply cared for her children and grandchildren and loved to attend and support them in school and life events. She was an exceptional hostess, who, along with George, graciously welcomed so many friends and family members into their home throughout their lives. She was an outstanding listener who genuinely cared and put others first. She will be fondly remembered for her thoughtfulness, compassion, perseverance, humour, and by many, for her baking. Although she did not like to be in the limelight, she led by example. Julia attended high school at Ursuline College (the Pines), then trained to become a registered nurse and began working at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chatham. She especially enjoyed working in the Maternity ward. After taking time off to raise her children, Julia worked as a registered nurse at Copper Terrace Long-term Care Home where she was respected and loved by those she cared for and worked with. Julia enjoyed staying in touch with her nurse classmates throughout her life and was actively involved in nurse reunion activities. She was also very active in St. Joseph’s Parish and a life-long member of the Catholic Woman’s League (City).

Friends and relatives are invited to visit Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home, 156 William St. S. Chatham (519-352-5120) on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 11 AM in St. Joseph’s Church.

Burial will be in St. Anthony’s Cemetery.

Donations to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (Rehabilitation/Recreational Therapy) or the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.