Having appreciated a wonderfully happy and fortunate life, Denise closed her bright eyes peacefully at 1:17pm on April 27. Denise was born on September 16, 1950 to Helen and Frank Teskey on Davisville Avenue in Toronto. Denise and Tom were married in 1974 and raised six wonderful children. In 1996, they moved their family home to Victoria. Above all, Denise was completely dedicated to caring for her family and others. Her home has always been a welcoming place. Her greatest joy came from her relationships with all children, especially her own children and grandchildren.
A celebration of her life will take place on Sunday, May 1st between 1:00pm – 4:00pm at the Etele Family house (1790 Broadmead Avenue). This is an open house in Denise’s tradition, so you are welcome to drop in at any time. There will be no formal ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, you may wish to make a donation to a charity of your choice. Denise believed in helping everyone.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the nurses, doctors, and support staff at Victoria General Hospital who graciously cared for her during her last two months.
She continues lovingly in the hearts of all whom she touched and her spirit remains in the cosmos.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
Sequoia Gardens Memorial
www.mccallbros.com
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Cerre Family
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Chris Sammut I’m so sorry to hear about Denise passing away. I was only in her company a few times but I clearly remember her energy, hospitality, & positive outlook on life. Her love for the kids & Tom was unmistakable. My condolences
Chris Sammut
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MIke and Cheryle Smith May 2, 2016 Tom, Cheryle and I are deeply sadden upon hearing yesterday of Denise’s passing. Denise certainly will continue to live most lovingly in our hearts. We were blessed to have Denise as a friend. We echo all the wonderful sentiments expressed in all the condolences that have been sent to you and your family on line.
Lovingly Mike and Cheryle Smith
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Liz and Rob Baker We send our sincere condolenses to you Tom, and all your family, and know how greatly Denise will be missed by you all.
We will always remember how welcome we were made at your home, and the lovely times the four of us spent together here in the UK and in Canada, plus the tolerance shown when we rebuilt a camper on your drive!
We know you will have loads of happy memories throughout your lives together, and trust that remembering the good times will help to ease the pain and sadness you must all be feeling.
Thinking of you all at this very sad time.
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Tom Hunter Tom and all the kids, Denise was one of the coolest moms I have ever had the pleasure to know. I was very privileged to have her as my friend. She always made time to ask about all our kids as they were growing up and traveling. Her laugh and sense of humour was infectious. Denise was one of a kind and I will look back and think often that I was lucky seeing her and sharing wonderful times. I wish you all peace at this time, with much respect and love, Tom Hunter
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Patti Firth Talbot Dear Tom,
You and all your family have been in my thoughts and prayers since hearing of Denise’s passing. I can still remember our younger days together in Leaside playing skipping at recess and dribbling our basketballs Wednesday evenings along with her dad Frank playing honky tonk music on the piano in the gym. Denise was a natural athlete. The wonderful times and friendships I made with the Assumption youth group has always remained very special to me. It was during that time I met you and my friendship with Denise connected back again. Thank you to both of you for visiting me during your very busy schedule on one of your visits back to Toronto. Denise was a beautiful mother and you a loving father to your wonderful six children. May all your memories and Denise’s spirit comfort you, your children, grandchildren and all the Teskey family.
Love Patti.
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Robert Talbot Dear Tom and family,
Upon hearing of Denise’s death a shock and sadness arose within me – thoughts about what Denise had endured and thoughts of your deep love and loss. I also feel the connection I had always had with Denise. First, I was reminded of a kiss she gave me in grade two and then, the good times at your North Toronto home with an over abundance of fun, laughter, and of course popcorn. Muriel and I also remember with fondest our visit with your family in Victoria.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your loss.
Bob and Muriel Talbot
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Pistolato Claudio & Heidi Dear Tom Chris and family Etele
We are very sad to hear from Denise…
We very often think of the great time we spent with you in September 2000 in Victoria at your home!! We will never forget it!!!…
Our thoughts are with you.
Lots of love
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Noela and John Irwin From Winton, New Zealand we would like to express our sincere sympathy to Tom and all your family. Every time we met Denise, she was always so bright and cheerful and really made us welcome. Noela will always treasure the night her and Denise walked the aisles of a large supermarket where it was such an eye-opener for Noela to see so many food lines available. Denise like Noela had a great interest in cooking and it was lovely to share recipes. We will always appreciate her and Tom’s kindnesses shown to our son, Garth.
Our thoughts are very much with you all at this sad time.
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Sarah Kipfer-Roder Dear Eteles…we send you much LOVE from Switzerland and hug you much in this difficult time.
Sarah with Family and Therese+Beat
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Reg and Nancy Bellomo If you had never met Denise this is what you missed out on. What she shared and offered to family and friends was remarkable. The fortunate ones were given a gift that was and is profound. This quiet, humble and caring person came in one gracious package. The example she set through her life was life’s lesson at its best. Denise set the bar so high without even trying, because that’s just the kinda Mom, sister and friend she was. Totally selfless, it was always about others. Her love for Tom, the kids, and the precious grandkids was evident and pure. You would be hard pressed to find another family that close and tight with one another. Love at its best! You taught them well Neach.
You never let anyone down. So organized and calm throughout your daily life and always remaining positive. You made Mom and Dad proud. You truly were the salt of the earth kinda gal.
Through her illness Denise stayed in control. Dignity was never lost and Denise sparkled like the most brilliant diamond on earth. She fought every step of the way when it would have been easy to just give up.
We have so much to be grateful for, especially you, gracing our lives. The memories will last, as you have made a posiitive impact on all of us.
Denise I know in my heart you’ll be able to hear us, because you know darn well that we’ll be asking for help and guidance through our journeys.
Love you sis, thanks for making us better people, you are going to be missed so much.
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Sue Perkins Sincere condolences. I had the pleasure of meeting Denise and family at Joe’s wedding in the UK.
Sue Perkins. Sydney, Australia
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Christine Knowles Heartfelt condolences Tom & all of your family. I will remember Denise as a beautiful human being….Hugs to you all!
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Brian & Sophia Faust Our heartfelt condolences to Tom, the Etele family and all that had the good fortune to meet and know Denise. As neighbours and friends, we will miss her infectious happiness and the love she shared with her family, friends and everyone she met.
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Brian and Pattie Dear Tom & Family,
Our Love and Thoughts are with you at this difficult time. We remember fondly being guests in your lovely home. Such a welcoming and joyful home. We will remember Denise lovingly.
Brian and Pattie
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Norm and Joan Sparrey Our condolences to Tom and Family. Denise, your complete and unselfish love for your husband, children, grand-children and extended family and friends is a perfect example for the rest of us. Why did you raise the bar so high? We’ve got our work cut out for us! You had an open heart that welcomed everyone in and a smile filled with warmth. Your priorities were so right–people first. What a simple, but powerful motto. When the opportunity presented itself to drop by and see family, including your many nieces and nephews, you never passed up the chance. You always had time to catch up and see how they were doing. You touched so many lives and years from now people will still share stories of a remarkable woman named Denise and the loving husband and family that surrounded her.
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Greg And Susan Hanna Tom and Family
I can’t tell you how sad it is to hear of Denise’s passing. It is a shock when someone so young is taken by this wretched disease. I AM SORRY THAT SHE DID NOT HAVE A LONGER LIFE TO SPEND WITH ALL OF YOU BUT SHE WILL BE IN A PLACE TO LOOK OVER YOU. She will not be gone but only resting. Take consolation in that. We will all be praying for her and her family. I have let the old gang know and I am sure they will all be in touch.
Greg Susan and Family. I will see you on Monday.
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Anne, James & family To Tom and all the family
We were so sorry to hear of the sad loss of Denise and send you and the family all our love especially at this sad time and are keeping you in our prayers.
Denise was a very caring and lovely person. She had the ability to make everyone feel very much at ease and relaxed in her company. We know her family meant the world to her and she will be sadly missed.
Love James, Anne & family.
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Marie With mighty wings an Eagle soared overhead and circled me several times as I walked, with heavy heart, the sands of Rathtrevor Beach Parksville, April 27th, between 1-1.45pm, during that time Denise said goodbye to her Earthly life and family.
Legend has it that the Eagle lives both in the spiritual and earthly realms and is the conduit/messenger that carries the departed soul to the heavenly Creator, from this life to a new. Take comfort while you grieve, knowing that your loving family member is SAFE and FREE and finally at Peace in the comfort of all that is GOOD and beautiful.
My thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.
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Marta Lindner Marta Lindner
April 29
Sincere condolence from all of us in Lindner family in Budapest.We all loved Denise, she was a very nice, open person, could get close to everyone. We knew her as a caring and devoted mother, grandmother and wife. We enjoyed spending lovely time with her and Tom here in Budapest. We will never forget her! Rest in peace Denise! We will be there with you on Sunday in thoughts and soul.God bless you all!
Love and hugsMarta and Lindner family
Budapest, Hungary
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Moira Kennedy My sincere condolences to Tom and the rest of the Etele family . May Denise rest in peace and watch over all of you .
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Sheila Morissette My heartfelt condolences to Tom, Mike, Christine, Bob, Joe, Steve, and Mud on your enormous loss. Denise was such a sweet and fun filled person who was kind and helpful at all times. I first met Denise 44 years ago when we worked at the Banff Springs Hotel and were assigned as roommates. Denise worked on the phones in room service and I was a waitress. It seemed like Denise knew everyone and our time there was more like summer camp with a bit of work and a lot of hiking, fun and adventure thrown in. Denise was very social, quick to find fun and full of laughter. I was blessed to have met her and to have her as my friend. Over the years we stayed in touch although she lived in Toronto and I in Vancouver. She always made us feel so welcome in her home whenever we visited. More than anything, Denise was completely devoted to her family – her loving husband Tom and those 6 wonderful children. She was fortunate to be blessed with many grandchildren who were very special to her. Her sparkle lives on through her children and grandchildren. My deepest condolences to all her family.
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Katherine Brusse I had the great privilege to meet Denise on a couple of occasions. The most memorable was when there was a run up near Long Beach. Christine, my friend, invited me to cook for everyone (I definitely don’t run) and it was a really fun time due to all the wonderful women there. Denise was fun, kind and very inclusive this her daughter learned from her. I love to watch(through Facebook) when the family got together, they all seemed so fun, grounded and like a family. The grandchildren were always at the forefront.
To you all I extend my heartfelt condolences and know that she lives on through this wonderful family of hers.
Blessings to you all
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Stephen & Laura Teskey Denise you gave Laura and myself a card inviting us to stay at your B & B in Victoria ( not actually a B & B but your way to get us out to the beautiful west ). The card had stickers of love all over it. Your entire life was a devotion to love of family and to others. You never stopped. What an example. Thanks for your roll as an aunt to our children, you were always interested in their well being and showed love.
A person dies only if they are forgotten, well Denise we will never forget you and thanks for being such a loving and caring sister. As dad used to say ” they don’t come any better.”All our love, Laura & Steve, Julia & Ben, Bryan and Gary.
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Michelle Kretchman Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Etele family. Aunt Denise was a wonderful lady and so kind and giving to everyone. Everytime I see fireworks now I will remember the wonderful Victoria Days watching the fireworks from the front lawn on Spadina Road. It was so nice to be able to see her and Uncle Tom at the family reunion at Uncle Steve and Aunt Laura’s before Julia’s wedding. We love you all. xoxo Michelle, Kevin, Kristina and Andrew
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Cary Spooner Tom and family please know you are all in my thaughts and preyers .Its a great loss as she was a special lady. I thank you as I was able to meet her and share grandchildren love and hugs to you all
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Samuel Kennedy My sincere condolence to all of Denise’s family. I only met her once but she looked after me when I was poorly at a villa in Vegas with her and the rest of the clan. I did not realise she was ill . I m so sad as she was still young. I am the same age and how to go on for a while yet. My thoughts go out to all who will be touched by her passing.
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Kathleen Harvie How blessed we are to share our grandchildren with Tom and the lovely Denise, our daughter Angela could not have picked a nicer mother in law, the entire Etele family are without a doubt the kindess most loving family I know.
It breaks my heart to know she will no longer be at the helm but she left behind an amazing group of kids who are themselves raising the same loving caring wee people. God bless you Tom and family and rest In Peace Denise, your legacy will live on. She is not gone but just…away! Kathleen and Ric Harvie. XX
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Kenn Long Condolences from all of us here in the Long home. It sounds like she was a wonderful woman. Thinking of you, Mike and the kids. Take care of one another at this time, and always.
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Erin My thoughts, condolences and hugs go out to the whole Etele clan. Denise was such an openly friendly and caring person. I love how she made everyone feel welcome and showed genuine interest in others. RIP Denise. You will be missed but remembered fondly.
On behalf of the Cerre family we send our sincere condolences to all in the Etele and Teskey families. The Teskey and Cerre families go back a long way, and you are remembered in our prayers.