Mary "Denise" Jean

Mary Denise Jean

September 26, 1962 – January 4, 2026

Mary Denise Jean passed away on January 4, 2026 at the age of 63, surrounded by her children. Her passing was sudden and deeply felt, leaving a silence that will never quite be filled.

Born on September 26, 1962 in Thunder Bay, Denise was the youngest girl in a large family and carried that identity with her throughout her life. She was adventurous by nature, strong-willed, and never one to simply follow the crowd. Denise moved through the world with her own compass, guided by deep conviction and a fierce sense of empathy.

Denise lived her life guided by a deep belief in God and an equally deep belief in people. She cared profoundly about humanity, justice, and compassion, and she believed that love and forgiveness were responsibilities, not ideals. Denise forgave fully and often, even when it was difficult, and held grace for everyone she had ever loved. Everything she did was done with intention. Even when imperfect, her actions came from a place of care.

Above all else, Denise was a mother.

She leaves behind her three children, Alex, Vena [Wife, Lindsay], and Mandy [Husband, Adam], who were the center of her world. To them, she was not only a parent, but a constant presence, a confidant, and a protector. Her love for her children was unwavering and unconditional, and it shaped them in ways that they will carry forward long after her passing.

In 2009, Denise and her son Alex purchased Fernando’s Family Restaurant, where they worked side by side for 11 years. Denise loved the work and the people who came through those doors everyday. She believed deeply in building community through good food and genuine connection. Over the years, that restaurant became her second home, and the friendships formed there meant everything to her. Many of those people remained close to her heart for the rest of her life.

Denise also leaves behind her sisters and brothers, Aunt Jan and Uncle Lyle, as well as many nieces, nephews, and beloved extended family members and friends including Bill, and Bianca. Those who loved Denise knew her as someone who felt deeply, spoke honestly, and loved without hesitation. She had a sharp sense of humour, a strong sense of justice, and a heart that made room for others. She stood firmly in who she was, even when it meant standing alone.

Without her, the world feels dimmer. The skies are not quite as blue, the days not quite as warm. Her absence is felt in small, quiet moments, in conversations that will never happen again, and in the space she once occupied so fully.

Denise’s legacy lives on through her children and through the compassion she showed others. She will be remembered not only for how she lived, but for how she made people feel: seen, accepted, and loved.

She will be missed more than words can express.