Obituary of Phyllis DENOON

June 28, 1930 – Melbourne, Australia

November 26, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

 

It is with heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of our loving mum Phyllis Denoon on November 26, 2020.

 

Phyllis was a loving daughter of Mildred and William James. She had a very loving family life, growing up in Australia, one of thirteen children, ten brothers and two sisters.  She married in Australia and they raised a daughter Pam and son Alan and hosted many family celebrations that involved love, laughter and good cheer.

 

On a visit to Canada Phyllis met Stan Denoon. He was so taken with her that he went to Australia and asked for her hand in marriage. In 1975 she married Stan, “the love of her life”, they were devoted to each other for thirty-five blissful years in Calgary. Together they loved entertaining, playing bridge, crib, golf, and always made time to share an ice cream.

 

Phyllis always had something to do or somewhere to be. Many who knew her described her as a "fire cracker". This drive and entrepreneurial spirit led to a twenty-three-year journey of founding Frontier Candy & Ice Cream Store in Bragg Creek, AB, still in operation today it is a wonderful part of their legacy. Another part of her legacy is the beautiful Rocky Mountain scenes she painted that grace walls across the globe, as well as the James Memorial trophy, which she donated, is presented yearly to a young Albertan athlete.

 

Phyllis loved golf, a vibrant member of the Calgary Golf & Country Club she loved to take friends to enjoy her club’s ambiance.

 

Her home was her pride and joy, she loved entertaining, laying out her beautiful china and sharing her special treasures with family and friends, a simple game of cards would end up being “High Tea” with “Grandma the Great.”

 

Phyllis’s heart was filled to the brim with cherished friendships made in Australia, Canada, and America. She also shared strong spiritual connections with some family members and dear friends. These relationships were her treasures, old friendships, some going back forty plus years, were kept close to her heart and new ones lovingly nurtured. Her group of card playing friends became her “Rumoli Family” sharing lots of cheer, laughs and secrets. A tighter group of friends could not be found. Odyssey Towers was another place where friendships were valued and treasured. She always made time to lend a hand, tell a story or offer a pearl of wisdom. She looked forward to the fun and frivolity of the annual BBQ with friends and of course her firemen.

 

Some of her fun times were visiting Alan and Deb’s family in PEI digging for clams and enjoying their catch, trips to Florida with Pam and Alison for her R and R beach time, dinner parties, and being spoiled by her adopted families. And her Toronto visits sharing BBQ’s, glasses of vino, and laughs with dear friends and extended family.

 

Phyllis’s contagious smile, her sparkling blue eyes and her genuine kindness has touched us all.

She will be in our hearts forever.

❤

 

Our sweet mum will be greatly missed by daughter Pam (Alison), and son Alan (Deb).

Dearly missed by beloved brothers, Max (Margret) and Brian (Brenda).

Grandchildren, Damon (Laura) and Nathan.

Great-grandchildren, Seren, Isabelle and Drake.

All of her Australian nieces and nephews.

Stan’s children, Norman (Barb), Judy, and George (deceased).

Grandchildren, Lisa (Tristan), Dr. Karley Denoon (Jake) and Connor.

Great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Kurt and Elwood.

 

A Celebration of Phyllis’s Life will be held at a later date when it is safe for us to gather. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the charity of Phyllis’s choice, which will be determined at the time of the Celebration of Life.

 

In living memory of Phyllis Denoon, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area.