June 17, 1927 - September 20, 2024

In loving memory ~

June 17, 1927 - September 20, 2024 - 97 Years Old

Ethel passed away peacefully in the Aitken Hospice Care Unit at Ocean Front Village in Courtenay, British Columbia on the 20th of September 2024.

Ethel was born in Port Arthur, Ontario on June 17, 1927, the first of three children to Stan and Mildred Smith. She completed her schooling in Port Arthur during the war years. Despite the hardships of that era, she managed to skip two grades and went on to become the Valedictorian for her graduating class in 1946. She married GH (Denny) Dennis (formerly of Brookdale Manitoba) on December 4th 1946 after he had completed his wartime service.

Ethel began a 30-year adventure as a military wife when Denny re-mustered back into military flying with the advent of the Korean War. That adventure took her to numerous locations across Canada and included a 3-year posting to Germany, and a 2-year extended stay at the RCAF Air Division headquarters in Metz France.

When Denny retired from the Service in the 1970s, Ethel launched out on her own career path. She initially worked in the administration of an extended Care facility at Oakview Place in Winnipeg, Mb. Then, when another opportunity arose, she began a new career with Revenue Canada that lasted more than 10 years before she retired for a well earned rest.

Ethel and Denny then moved to Medicine Hat Ab. From there they enjoyed more than a decade of "Snowbird" travel between Canada and southern USA. They came to Comox in 2001 and Ethel has been an active member of D'Esterre Seniors' Centre since the death of her husband in 2005. D'Esterre was, in fact, the focus of Ethel's social and recreational life for almost two decades.

Mom lived proudly and independently in her own home for more than 19 years, despite numerous and compounding physical challenges. She remained active, was always ready to meet new people, and to help others wherever she could. She was always a positive influence, had a warm and friendly attitude, and was genuinely liked, and respected by those who knew her.

Ethel is survived by her two children Ben (Deborah) Dennis of Comox, Judith (Rick) Migel of Edmonton, AB and her sister Dolores Swazey and family of Thunder Bay Ontario.

She has 5 grandchildren, Cara Johns and Brian Dennis; James and Dan Migel and Hayley Barber of Calgary. Additionally she has five great Grandchildren; Ashley, Jada and Hudson Dennis; Rylie Barber and Michael Johns. As well, mom leaves a loving and extended family on her husbands side.

Ethel will be laid to rest at her husband's side in his hometown of Brookdale, Manitoba.

A Celebration of Life will be held at D'Esterre Seniors Centre on Saturday, November 9th from 1:00- 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Donations could be made to either the Comox Hospice Society at

https://comoxhospice.com/ or alternatively to D'Esterre Senior Centre at https://comoxseniors.ca/