February 27, 1941 - May 5, 2020
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Dorothea Helena Denis from her Chilliwack home on the evening of May 5, 2020 to her eternal home. She left us peacefully, with family by her side, at the age of 79.
Dorothea is survived by her sisters Elizabeth "Ruth" Williams, and her sister Gene Green, in Irby, England; also by her husband, Wayne Denis; her three children Chris (Sheila), Kathryn and Matthew (Cheryl) Denis; four grandchildren, Ashley (Nico), Carmen, Logan and Finnigan; and one great-granddaughter, Mia.
Dorothea was born in Vancouver, BC February 27, 1941 to Japan Evangelistic Band missionaries Tipton and Helena Williams. From age 9 to 13, mom lived in Japan, where she picked up an insatiable love of rice. The family left Japan in 1954 for Canada via England in 1955. Mom loved Jesus and spending time with family. She was known to say, "you can see God in the infinite varieties of the color green."
She loved adventure too, often speaking of her time in Japan, the 7-week journey home aboard a cargo ship, obtaining a private pilot's license in her 30's, or returning to school for her bookkeeping certificate in her 40's. Most recently in 2018 she and her 2 sisters embarked on a train ride of a lifetime across Canada. Over the years, she faithfully served the church in multiple capacities and always went out of her way to remember, encourage, support and pray for those around her. She was a selfless mother, wife, sister and friend. She will be missed; however, we are comforted knowing she is with Jesus her Lord and Savior and we look forward to the day when we will meet her again.
A celebration of life and faith will be indefinitely postponed until we can all meet together.
"Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." - Psalm 23:6