VERNA ELLOUISE DENNIS

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VERNA ELLOUISE DENNIS

Verna Ellouise Dennis (née Grainger), 102, of Winkler, passed away on May 28, 2025, at Boundary Trails Health Centre.

She was born to Walter and Clara Grainger on October 29, 1922, in Melfort, Saskatchewan. Her life would be shaped by history, beginning with her childhood during the Depression. This experience taught her hard work and frugality, two traits she took with her throughout her life.

She married Allan Dennis in 1944 in Kingston, Ontario, before he was deployed to Europe during the Second World War. Upon his safe return to Canada, they had a son, Larry, and moved to Montreal for Allan's job.

Verna navigated the transition from Saskatchewan to Montreal with characteristic adaptability and grace. While in Montreal, Verna and Allan had their daughter, Jane, and they established a wide circle of friends despite the cultural differences. Verna found her mother's lessons on etiquette to be helpful in navigating social situations during this time in her life, and would much later instruct Jane's children in the finer points of good manners to ensure they would be able to adjust to any environment.

In Montreal, Verna received her realtor's licence. For the rest of her life she spoke with pride of working as a realtor, indeed an impressive accomplishment in the 1960s, when few women in her sphere held jobs or had financial independence. She pursued her interests of developing land and building houses throughout her life.

Historical forces again intervened in her life when the terrorist activities of the Quebec nationalist group Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) prompted many companies, including Allan's, to move their offices from Montreal to other Canadian cities. Verna and her family consequently moved to Winnipeg, where they lived for decades, once again forming lifelong friendships.

Upon retirement, Verna and Allan split their time between Winnipeg and Florida, a place Verna truly loved. Verna and Allan moved to BC to be with her aging mother and their son in 1987. Larry succumbed to cancer in 1992, a loss from which Verna never recovered. In 2000, they moved to Winkler to be closer to Jane and her four children, whom Verna loved dearly.

Wherever she went, Verna formed deep friendships and was known for her abundant garden, love of playing bridge, and ample supply of hors d'oeuvres at happy hour. She was kind, not afraid to voice an opinion, and open-minded even as she aged. Her joie de vivre was an inspiration and will be missed.

She lived an incredible 37,468 days and is survived by her daughter, Jane (Jim), and four grandchildren, Allison, Connor (Andrea), Cole and Jennifer. She was preceded in death by her husband Allan, son Larry, and siblings, Gordon and Muriel.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Boundary Trails Health Centre palliative care.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 14, 2025