Obituary of Dorothy Denysek
DENYSEK - It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Dorothy Denysek, wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. Dorothy passed away at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre on March 5, 2025 with her family by her side. Dorothy was born on June 15th, 1933 to John and Avril (Bunbury) Lamming in London, England. Shortly after Dorothy’s birth, they returned to Barbados, West Indies to assist in the family hotel business.
Dorothy’s youth was spent traveling back and forth between the seaside hotel and Bridgetown to attend school, play tennis and enjoy the activities of the Yacht Club. There were also numerous trips to New York to visit family.
Upon graduation from St. Winnifred’s school, she worked in the office of the family business doing the books. Given Dorothy’s adventurous and independent spirit she wanted more than what island life offered, so she immigrated to Canada and settled in Toronto to be with her sister and brother-in-law. While in Toronto she was an office clerk operating accounting machines at a large corporation.
It was a trip to Yorkton in 1959, to be a bridesmaid for a friend that she met in Toronto, and fell in love with Ernie Denysek – an original member of the Country Lads band. They were married on June 4, 1960 in Toronto, followed by another wedding reception in Hamton a week later. Thus began the orientation of an “island girl” to farm life in rural Saskatchewan – a role that Dorothy vigorously took on to prove to herself and others she would survive and thrive. Dorothy and Ernie enjoyed 61 years together, 35 years overseeing a successful farming operation in the Hamton/Donwell district and then 25 years of retirement together in Yorkton first as part of the Biggs Crescent Crew, then the Bentley retirement home, then the Yorkton Crossing. Together they raised two children; took several trips to Barbados – to see Dorothy’s family, Mexico, southern US; were members of St. Georges Anglican Church in Canora and then Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Yorkton.
Dorothy leaves to mourn and celebrate her life, son John (Christina) and their children Mason (Alana), Lauren (Morgan); her daughter Debbie (Gerald) along with Harley and Abby, two adorable Labradoodles; her sister-in-law Phyllis; nieces, nephews and friends. Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, sister Denise, brother Johnny and husband Ernie.
Dorothy/Mum will be remembered by her family for her resiliency, graciousness, dry wit, hospitality including a cocktail or two, laughter, feistiness, and most of all, for the power of love.
The Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Yorkton with Rev. Luanne Hrywkiw officiating. The organist, Angela Vaughan accompanied in the singing of the hymns. The Psalm Reader was Wendy Goodridge and the Old Testament Reader was Ken Roseborsky. The eulogy was conveyed by Lauren Denysek. Messages of condolence were shared by Gerald Ooms and Mason Denysek. The interment followed in the Garden of Gethsemane at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Mason Denysek, Morgan Salkeld, Ken Roseborsky, Grant Korol, Michael Parry and Mario Gorny serving as the casket bearers. Memorial donations in Dorothy’s memory may be made to the Holy Trinity Anglican Church as gifts of remembrance. Condolences to the family can be posted at baileysfuneralhome.com.
