Obituary of Jocelyn Dennis

JOCELYN DENNIS

Jocelyn Elizabeth (Mitchell) Dennis passed away peacefully at home, in her 69th year, with her husband Bill by her side. Dearly loved wife of William “Bill” Dennis and proud mother of Jenna and Lindsay, Jocelyn bravely fought in hospital to be able to return to her home and her family, and in the end she succeeded. She was happy to be able to spend time with her daughters and her husband before her passing.

Jocelyn, spent her childhood in Wallaceburg, Ontario where she attended Wallaceburg District Secondary School. She spent carefree summers listening to Joni Mitchell and laying in the sun with her sister, and sharing warm memories with her special cousins, Pamela and Allyson. She was an avid Red Devil’s lacrosse fan, attending every game and eventually falling in love with Bill, a member of the Red Devil’s team who came to Wallaceburg from Huntsville. When Bill joined the OPP, Ridgetown became home, then Chatham, eventually settling in St Thomas, Ontario.

Jocelyn was a sensitive soul, who enjoyed spending time reading in front of her fireplace in the winter and relaxing poolside on sunny summer days.

She loved the cats in her neighbourhood, who needed food and a warm place to sleep during the winter. Her cat warming station on her front porch was well known and saved a few cats from the cold, snowy nights.

Jocelyn was athletic in her youth and encouraged her daughters in their own athletic pursuits, proudly attending weekend swim meets and cheering them on. She was a strong supporter of equal rights for women in sport.

Jocelyn loved little children, and spending time with her own grandchildren was important to her, especially when she could snuggle and read books to them during their sleepovers. Her grandchildren, like Jocelyn, also compete athletically, and even while ill, she was a very proud Gramma, often posting their successes on her Facebook page.

Jocelyn is predeceased by her mother, Dorothy Jean Mitchell, and a brother, Peter James Mitchell.

Jocelyn leaves behind her daughters and their families, Jenna Dennis (Jamie Hancock) of Oakville, and Lindsay Dennis (Bradford Scott) of London. Her special loves were her grandchildren William Hancock, Sophie Hancock, Allison Scott, Parker Scott and Simon Scott. She was dearly loved and will be forever missed by her sister, Leslie Boulton, husband Rick and sons Jeffrey (Tammi Orescanin) and Bryan (Zeynep Barakat). The Dennis family, her brothers and sister-in-law, David (Mary-Ann), Ann (Ray) Kolstad, Michael (Monique), Tim (Susi), and Steve (Genevieve), will remember her with love.